Glass-attack pub thug behind bars

A 70-YEAR-OLD man was viciously attacked in a busy Failsworth pub after talking to a drunk making a nuisance of himself.

When the vulnerable pensioner - who walks with two sticks - told Paul Delaney to behave, the thug responded by grabbing a glass and hitting him on the back of the head three times.

The attack, caught on CCTV at the Mowbray Arms in Oldham Road was shown at Manchester Crown Court, where 44-year old Delaney was jailed for nine months.

The incident, which caused the victim only minor injuries, happened in February 2014. Delaney was due on trial after pleading not guilty to causing grievous bodily harm. He later admitted a lesser charge of unlawful wounding.

Barry White, prosecuting, said his elderly victim had called Delaney over to have words with him about his behaviour. Delaney reached for the glass and hit him, and then reached for a second glass to continue the assault but was restrained.

Delaney, of Barlby Walk, Newton Heath, had been at a low ebb at the time, and had been seeing his GP about drinking and emotional issues.

Helen Richardson, defending, said her client had made frank admissions about what he had done and accepted he had completely lost his temper.

She said Delaney maintained his victim had acted first, giving him a push, and he then reacted in totally the wrong way.