Eric Joyce ‘attacked two teens’ in London shop

Former Labour MP Eric Joyce. Picture: Michael Gillen

The former Labour MP, 54, allegedly scuffled with the boys aged 14 and 15 during a confrontation in the off licence in Camden, London.

Joyce claimed on his online blog that he had ‘detained’ a youth at the News & Food Express on Chalk Farm Parade on 17 October last year.

He was previously fined £4,400 for fighting in the House of Commons bar on 22 February 2012, in which a Conservative MP was headbutted and punched.

Today Joyce was excused from attending Westminster Magistrates Court, where he is accused of two counts of ABH and one of causing criminal damage.

Elbows and a headlock are said to have been used during the incident which caused a goods stand to be knocked over.

He will reappear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 1 May for a three-hour trial.

On his blog Joyce wrote: “I detained a youth in a shop in London. Damage had been done to the store.

“I asked the shopkeeper to call the police, and when officers arrived they arrested the youth and informed me that drugs had been recovered from the scene.

“The officers also informed me that the youth had immediately made a complaint that I had assaulted him by detaining him.

“I will make no further comment for now, other than to say a) that no alcohol was involved and b) I am not in the habit of summoning the police if I feel that I am in the wrong.’

Joyce, of Chalcot Square, Chalk Farm, north London, denies two counts of ABH, and one of causing criminal damage.