A FORMER barman who was put at risk of a jail sentence 'in double figures' due to a liar's made up crowbar attack story, says he feels like he's been on trial.

Carl Stallard's lies led to former Farriers Arms barman Martyn Hoole being arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent (section 18) and spending a night in a cell, exposing him to the risk of a jail sentence 'in double figures'.

A jury found 35-year-old Stallard of Lear Close, Worcester, guilty of perverting the course of public justice by unanimous verdict at Worcester Crown Court earlier this month, and on Monday Judge Nicholas Cole gave Stallard a two year prison sentence.

Remembering the day of the incident, the 45-year-old, who suffers from epilepsy, said: "The police came to my house in the evening and arrested me.

"I spent 13 hours in custody.

"I hold no grudge against the police, they were just doing their job. If it happened to me I would expect the police to help.

"If I had been found guilty of the original charge, I was looking at a 10 year jail sentence and that is scary.

"When I gave my evidence, I was cross examined by a defence lawyer.

"It felt like I was on trial, even though I had been cleared of all the charges.

"It was like I had something to prove.

"I was hospitalised with a fit - my epilepsy is made massively worse by stress."

Mr Hoole said Stallard's trial had been stressful for him, particularly when he had to give evidence.

During the case the jury heard Stallard claimed he was attacked with a 'crowbar' by Mr Hoole at the back of the Farriers Arms in Fish Street, October 2016.

But in fact Stallard had actually been told to leave the pub politely, after making a lewd tongue gesture at barmaid Jayne Cocklin, and Mr Hoole said he chased Stallard after he threw two glasses at him.

Stallard ran across Deansway, hitting his head on the barrier by the side of the college where his blood was found. The prosecution pointed out that Stallard's blood was found near the barrier and not at the back of the Farriers where he claimed he was attacked.

On Monday, Stallard initially failed to show for his sentencing hearing with his defence barrister Jason Patel saying he did not own a phone or an alarm clock.

A warrant was issued to bring him to court and the case was heard later in the day when Stallard was given the two year prison sentence by Judge Nicholas Cole, who had earlier described Stallard's claims as 'an extremely serious false allegation'.

Stallard was also given a restraining order which prohibits him from contacting both directly or indirectly Mr Hoole, and from entering any part of Fish Street, or the Farriers Arms.

Mr Hoole, who no longer works at the Farriers Arms and has moved out of Worcester, said he was relieved the case was over, adding: "False allegations can destroy lives. "I wouldn't want anyone else to go through the same thing.

"I am just glad he was found guilty and it's all over."