A DRUNKEN man who broke a pool cue over a landlord’s body after being refused service in a Wilmslow pub has avoided jail.

Adam Metcalfe, of Heyes Lane, Alderley Edge, lost his temper on Saturday, March 9, when the manager of the Carters Arms pub on Chapel Lane said he couldn't have any more to drink.  

Metcalfe then leaned over the counter and slapped him across the face, at which point the landlord came around the bar and tried to make him leave. 

On the way to the door, the pair slipped, and while on the ground, the 43-year-old got on top of the landlord and punched him repeatedly in the face.

Customers managed to get Metcalfe off him, but on his way out of the pub, he picked up a pool cue.

The landlord followed him outside, which is when Metcalfe hit him over the shoulder with the cue several times until it snapped. 

The landlord fled inside again, but Metcalfe followed him, picked up a bar stool, and began swinging it around.

After he finally left, police were called, who managed to catch up with him later at the Merlin pub in Alderley Edge.  

When officer tried to arrest him, he yelled ‘you’re going to have a struggle’, and ‘I’m going to knock you out’.

Metcalfe lunged at one of the officers, who managed to snap a pair of cuffs on him, and he was transported to Middlewich Custody Suite.

All the time, he was verbally abusing officers, and spitting.

Metcalfe was charged with one count of assault causing actual bodily harm, and one of criminal damage, which he admitted before magistrates on Thursday, July 25.

The case was adjourned and sent to Chester Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday, August 29.

During the assault, the pub landlord suffered several injuries, including bruising to left eye and left elbow, a cut to the left elbow, and scratches and bruising to the left shoulder.

His front tooth was also chipped.

Passing sentence, the recorder, Anthony Donohoe, handed Metcalfe a 20-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to complete 180 hours unpaid work, 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days, and was fitted with an alcohol abstinence monitoring tag, which he must wear for 120 days.

The judge also ordered him to pay £600 compensation to the landlord.