David Croly is behind bars
David Croly(Image: GMP)
A drunk man launched into a violent frenzy after being refused access to the toilets at a Manchester city centre bar. David Croly, 42, was told by a staff member at Banyan bar in the Corn Exchange that as he was not a paying customer he could not use the facilities.
Croly, of Salford, punched the man in the shoulder before falling over, Minshull Street Crown Court heard. The manager of the bar ushered him out. Croly hovered around the outside seating area.
Two women sat having a drink had to leave after he ‘pestered them’, prosecutor Justin Hayhoe said. Croly then began smashing up plates and glasses outside picking up a sharp.
He approached a group of men and stabbed one in the neck five times. Fortunately, the man was only left with a small wound.
Croly asked a man who stepped in to protect his friend ‘what are you going to do?’ before throwing a punch, which didn’t land.
Croly was arrested later that day, on October 18 last year. As he was detained, he kicked out at officers. He pleaded guilty to assault of an emergency worker and was previously handed a community order.
The court heard Croly has 16 previous convictions for 29 offences, including for possession of an offensive weapon – a rock in a sock – racially aggravated harassment; and possession of a knife.
Croly, of Ludlow Avenue, Salford, was jailed for a year and four months after pleading guilty to assault by beating; possession of an offensive weapon; common assault and section 20 wounding.