A drinker pelted a barman with glasses when he was refused service in a Douglas pub.

Douglas magistrates were told Donal John Tobin had been drinking for most of the afternoon at the Old Market Inn, in Douglas, and when he went to the bar at around 8pm was told that was to be his last drink.

For the prosecution, Michael Jelski said 41-year-old Tobin tried to plead his case, showing emotion ranging from anger to tears. Finally he put his coat on, as if to leave but instead moved from the front bar to the back bar, which is served by the same counter, where he again tried to order another drink.

He refused to leave and, at this point, lost his temper, hurling a glass at the bar man who had to duck to avoid being hit. A barrage of missiles then followed, including more glasses and even a drinks decanter. A leaded glass window was also smashed in the attack, which only stopped when another customer intervened to restrain the defendant.

The amount of broken glass piled inside the pub was so great it had to close early to mount a clean-up operation.

Mr Jelski said the cost of repairs came to £400 and loss of earnings, because of the early closure, came to £500.

When police arrived, Tobin told them he was having ’a nice afternoon’ and became upset on being told he would not be served any more. Subsequently he apologised and admitted being embarrassed and upset by the incident.

Tobin, of Marathon Drive in Douglas, admitted criminal damage and disorderly behaviour on licensed premises on January 28.

His advocate, Paul Rodgers, said he had been depressed. He was bailed with a £500 recognisance, for preparation of a pre-sentence report. He must not enter the Old Market Inn. He reappears on June 6.