A NORTHWICH man has avoided an immediate spell behind bars after he attacked another man.

David Conneely, of Abbots Way in Hartford, carried out the unprovoked assault in Hooker Street on December 4 last year.

The 39-year-old pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared before Crewe Magistrates Court on Wednesday, July 20.

He was sentenced to serve eight weeks in prison, with magistrates telling him the unprovoked offence was so serious that only a custodial sentence could be justified.

However, because the probation service reported that Conneely had a realistic chance of being rehabilitated, the jail term was suspended for 18 months.

He also pleaded guilty to a charge of obstructing a police officer in the execution of his duty during the same incident.

In addition to those charges, Conneely was also convicted of stalking a woman between December 1, 2021, and May 1 this year. He admitted bombarding her with unwanted telephone calls and attending her home on multiple occasions.

As part of his rehabilitation, Conneely will receive treatment for alcohol for the next nine months.

He must pay £100 in compensation to both of his victims.

There will also be prosecution costs of £205 and £95 surcharge which will help to fund victim services.

Magistrates also made him the subject of a two-year restraining order.