A KIDDERMINSTER man convicted by a jury of affray and possession of a weapon in a public place failed to turn up at Worcester Crown Court to be sentenced on Friday.

Aaron Bishop startled customers in The Cavalier pub in Tennyson Way, Kidderminster, by swinging a two-ft long baton studded with nails and making threats on December 10 last year.

Judge Patrick Thomas QC issued a warrant for his arrest not backed with bail.

Pub landlady Norma Taylor found two men fighting the floor and recognised one as 32-year-old Bishop, said prosecutor Charles Hardy.

Another customer said the defendant picked a fight with him and returned later with the baton.

Police arrested Bishop, of Wordsworth Crescent, Offmore Farm, Kidderminster, who was hiding in bushes.

He defended himself at trial after declining to be represented by a barrister.

He claimed at the police station that he was beaten up by a gang and had gone for a walk when he was arrested.

The jury retired for only 20 minutes before returning guilty verdicts on both charges. Bishop had been remanded on bail.