A FORMER lottery millionaire punched a man in a dispute over a £400 debt, a court heard.

Michael Antonucci, 61, hit John Langman "in a rage" during an assault in a pub.

Plymouth magistrates heard Langman had asked for £400 he claimed he was owed by Antonucci, who won £2.8 million on the National Lotttery in 1995. But Antonucci's solicitor McKenzie Robinson said the lottery money had "disappeared".

He added: "Things are a little complicated over the years. That money has disappeared. It is a long story as to where it has gone but it has gone. His furniture export business is weak to the point of near collapse."

Magistrates found Antonucci had hit Mr Langman, a former rugby player and referee, in the Minerva pub in Looe Street.

Antonucci, of Parsonage Way, Plymouth, had denied one charge of assaulting Mr Langman by beating on August 29 last year.

He was ordered to pay a total of £720 in a fine, compensation and costs.

Antonucci said he could pay the sum off within 28 days.

The court heard Mr Langman, a bath and shower shop owner, was left with a split lip, bruised chin and cuts inside his mouth.

Mr Langman, 59, also claimed Antonucci had attacked him in the Porters bar down the street two hours later. But magistrates said there was not enough evidence to prove what had happened in the second pub.

Antonucci claimed the debt was only £90 and said he acted in self-defence.

He said Langman sprung at him in the Minerva and grabbed him by the shirt.

Presiding magistrate Sarah Martin told Antonucci: "You reacted aggressively to the mention of the debt and punched him in the face. We do not accept that John Langman grabbed your shirt."

Magistrates ordered Antonucci to pay £455 prosecution costs, £150 fine, £100 compensation to Mr Langman and the £15 victim surcharge.