A PUB customer who lied about being attacked with a metal bar was told he faces jail after putting an innocent man at risk of prison.

Carl Stallard's lies led to barman Martyn Hoole being arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent (section 18) and spending a night in a cell, exposing him to the risk of a jail sentence 'in double figures'. The jury found 35-year-old Stallard of Lear Close, Worcester, guilty by unanimous verdict of perverting the course of public justice at Worcester Crown Court today.

Stallard had claimed he was attacked with 'crowbar' by Mr Hoole at the back of the Farriers Arms in Fish Street, Worcester, on Sunday, October 2, 2016.

However, the prosecution said Stallard had been told politely but firmly to leave by Mr Hoole after the defendant made a lewd tongue gesture at barmaid Jayne Cocklin. Stallard said he made no such gesture and was merely 'chewing ice cubes'. He also said he left the pub of his own accord by the back door because was told the front door was locked, an account contested by several witnesses.

When Stallard left the pub, carrying two glasses, Mr Hoole said he followed him to retrieve them. Mr Hoole said Stallard ran away, threw the glasses at him, which he dodged, before running across Deansway and hitting his head on the barrier by the side of the college where his blood was found.

Mr Hoole did not see Stallard fall but saw him lying on his back by the barrier. He told Stallard, who was still conscious, 'that's karma for you', admitted to the jury he may have laughed at him, and returned to the pub where he swept up the broken glass. Stallard suffered a suspected broken eye socket, a head wound requiring eight stitches and a broken wrist.

Sally Cairns, prosecuting, said in an original notebook entry taken at the hospital by police Stallard said he was struck by a crowbar five times.

But in the witness box he said he was 'clouted' only three times and could not be sure if he was hit with a crowbar, only that he had been hit with 'a weapon'. He also said the attack happened in the dark but Stallard sustained his injuries in daylight hours.

The defendant blamed any inconsistencies on him having been 'dazed and confused' as a result of the head injury. Stallard said he had not crossed Deansway but changed his mind once he had seen CCTV, admitting he had.

The prosecution also pointed out that Stallard's blood was found near the barrier at the side of the college, not at the back of the Farriers where he claimed he was attacked.

Stallard has five previous convictions for eight offences, including driving while disqualified, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, child cruelty and theft.

Stallard has never before served a custodial sentence.

John Brotherton, standing in as prosecutor for Sally Cairns, asked for the case to be adjourned so a victim personal statement could be obtained from Mr Hoole.

He told the court the complainant was epileptic and had suffered a fit since giving evidence and had been admitted to hospital with a potential mini-stroke.

Mr Brotherton said: "We don't lay the blame entirely at the defendant's door."

Stallard was represented at his trial by Jason Patel who said the last matter on the defendant's record was seven years ago in 2011.

Judge Nicholas Cole described Stallard's claims as 'an extremely serious false allegation'. He added: "He (Mr Hoole) was arrested and held in custody overnight. You put him at risk of serious criminal charges. The courts have made plain that such false allegations almost inevitably result in a sentence of immediate custody."

The judge adjourned the case for the victim personal statement and a pre-sentence report to be prepared. Stallard will next appear at the crown court on May 21.

He was granted bail on condition he co-operate with probation in preparing the report and that he does not enter Fish Street or the Farriers Arms or have contact with the complainant.