A TOPLESS drunk who wielded a knife in Worcester and later attacked a man ‘in a frenzy’ with an iron bar has been spared jail.

Alexandru Topoleaunu wielded a knife in Upper Tything in Worcester and used the blade to cause damage to a van after he argued with a woman in the street. Less than a month later he attacked a man with a 3ft long iron bar outside Tesco Express in Foregate Street, Worcester, slamming the bar into the man’s ribcage before he was disarmed by members of the public.

The 35-year-old of Cranham Drive, Warndon, Worcester, had already admitted criminal damage to Dominic Vicol's Mercedes Vito van and possession of a bladed article on April 23 this year. He further admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm against Lucian Beldianu and possession of an offensive weapon (the iron bar) on May 18 this year.

Philip Beardwell, prosecuting, said the defendant, who was arguing with a woman, was seen ‘topless, wielding a kitchen knife’ in Upper Tything, using it to cause £350 of damage to the van. On May 18 Topoleanu confronted Mr Beldianu outside Tesco Express in Foregate Street with a three feet metal bar.

“He approached Mr Beldianu and started to swing the bar at him. Mr Beldianu raised his arms to protect his head and face but received a blow to his ribcage, causing reddening and swelling. The defendant continued to swing the bar in a frenzy” said Mr Beardwell.

However, he was disarmed by members of the public and arrested at the scene.

Jason Aris, defending, said his client was a carer for both his mother, who had suffered a stroke in 2003, and his four-and-a half-year-old son and had had the good sense to plead guilty to each and every offence in September.

He argued that his client’s remorse was genuine and he realised he had ‘not set a good example for his son’. Mr Aris also said Topoleanu had abstained from alcohol since May.

Judge James Burbidge QC sentenced him to 12 months in prison suspended for two years, ordered him to pay compensation of £350 to Mr Vicol for the criminal damage to the van and £200 to the victim of the ABH. He must complete 200 hours of unpaid work and was made subject to a restraining order for five years in relation to Mr Beldianu. The judge ordered that the iron bar be forfeited and destroyed.