A BIDEFORD man who threw a chair over a bar believes his drink may have been spiked.

Martin Paul O'Reilly, from Mill Street, said he did not know why he just threw the seat across the bar at Quigley's where he was a regular.

He pleaded guilty to criminal damage of two spirit measures and a mirror on Wednesday, August 4.

For the prosecution Mark Haddow said it was 4pm and the 35-year-old had ordered his usual double vodka and lemonade.

He said: "Then he stood up, raised the bar stool above his head and launched it across the bar.

"He was escorted out and arrested and admitted causing the damage, but said he did not know why he had done it — there was no argument going on nor dispute."

For the defence Rod Ball said O'Reilly had got to 35 without getting into trouble with the police.

The bar manager said he was a very quiet regular who had never caused any problem.

Mr Ball said there was a row between some of the bar staff and regulars recently and O'Reilly intervened on behalf of the employees.

He said: "He's heard stories of drink spiking in the pub and two days later he went to the doctor vomiting and very unwell.

"The doctor said it was a mystery. He decided not to have his blood tested as it would have taken a month to get the results back."

O'Reilly told the magistrates he was ashamed of his behaviour, which was totally out of character.

Magistrate Susan Poxon said the court would regard the incident as a blip.

The damage to the spirit measures was estimated at £50.

The bar manager had said the mirror was worth £1,000 but this was disputed by Mr Ball. He was sentenced to six months conditional discharge and ordered to pay £250 compensation.