A man smashed a beer pump in anger when a landlord refused to serve him.

Brendan Folan, of Pine Court Mews in Netherton, appeared before Kirklees magistrates yesterday.

He pleaded guilty to criminal damage at the Boy and Barrel pub on October 21.

Magistrates heard that Folan entered the Beast Market establishment in the morning with friends.

Inquiries were made about a previous barring from the pub but as this had been resolved the men were allowed to carry on drinking there.

At 3pm the group were asked to calm down following some difficulty with an elderly customer.

Prosecutor Alex Bozman said that the landlord then refused to serve them any more alcohol.

He said: “He thought that they were in drink and Mr Folan took exception to that.

“He picked up a bar stool and swung it across the bar, striking one of the beer pumps and damaging it.

“Mr Folan was subsequently arrested from another pub.”

In interview the 47-year-old admitted causing the damage, but claimed that he used a wooden item and not a bar stool.

Mike Sisson-Pell, mitigating, said Folan would have returned to the pub to pay for the damage but the police had advised him not to go back .

He explained that Folan suffered from depression and paranoia.

Mr Sisson-Pell added that he has also been on medication since breaking his legs and arms in a serious accident for which he spent months in hospital.

He said: “He admitted that he lost his temper because they wouldn’t serve them, hit the beer pump and damaged it.

“He apologises to the court and the complainant through me.”

Magistrates gave Folan a conditional discharge for 12 months.

He must still pay £120 compensation to the pub to fix the pump.