Junkie rocker Pete Doherty was punched in the face in his local pub by a drug dealer who threatened: "You should get your gear from me."
Shocked drinkers saw the stocky 6ft 2in thug batter the Babyshambles star, 26, to the ground in the garden of the Sun Inn, Marlborough, Wilts.
One regular said: "It was horrible. Pete was really shaken up and upset."
Police said: "We are investigating." Pete's label Parlophone Records confirmed he was punched on Sunday by a stranger but denied there was an argument over drugs.