Chi cop guilty in bar beating

CHICAGO - A judge has found a suspended Chicago police officer guilty of aggravated battery in the videotaped beating of a bartender after she refused to serve him more drinks.

Anthony Abbate testified yesterday that he threw, punched and kicked the woman, who was half his size, because he felt he was in danger.

He acknowledged that he was drunk when the beating happened in February 2007. But he says Karolina Obrycka pushed him first as she tried to remove him from behind the bar.

Abbate faces from probation to up to five years in prison when he's sentenced June 23. Judge John Fleming denied a request to revoke his bond, and Abbate remains free.

The judge dismissed two official-misconduct charges. *