Bodyguard jailed for bar stabbing

The Met Bar is inside the Metropolitan Hotel on Park Lane

A bodyguard has been given a life sentence for stabbing two men who had been annoying his boss at a top London bar.

Cecil Croasdile, 38, of Southall, west London, admitted stabbing Robert Everett and Carl Harrison at the Met Bar in the Metropolitan hotel on Park Lane, central London, in November last year.

His wealthy Saudi boss Sami Balubaid, 40, who has been charged with aiding the offences, is on the run.

Judge David Stokes ordered the confiscation of his £500,000 bail after he failed to appear at the Old Bailey on Monday.

The prosecution said Mr Balubaid had become upset when a waitress was kicked.

Used steroids

Nicholas Wood told the court the businessman said he would make sure someone apologised.

A row followed and Croasdile was called over to help his employer and then a fight began.

The defence told the court the victims were part of a group of men who were drinking heavily and behaving unacceptably.

Malcolm Swift QC said Croasdile had his nose cut with a knife and had picked up the weapon as he thought he was going to be attacked again.

The court heard that Croasdile, who was a bodybuilder, used steroids which may have affected his behaviour.