Community in shock as host is murdered

By Claire Hu Licensees in the Midlands have been left shocked by the murder of a "dedicated" Punch landlord who was beaten to death during an early morning raid on his pub. Father-of-five Michael Hughes, 59, lessee of the Royal Oak in Pelsall, near Walsall, was hit over the head as he struggled with an intruder on Sunday morning. (27 April). His body was discovered in upstairs living quarters at the isolated canal-side pub when cleaners arrived the next morning. A post mortem revealed he died of head injuries and a murder inquiry has been launched. West Midlands Police said the property had been broken into, with several rooms ransacked and a small safe, containing less than £1,000, removed from a cabinet. Detective Chief Inspector Bob Spencer said Hughes had four guests at the pub until about 2am, when they left. He then locked up and went to bed. He said: "There are clear signs of a break-in and a search having taken place. It's believed that whoever broke in killed Mr Hughes between 2am and 9am. It has all the hallmarks of a burglary that went wrong." He added Hughes was a well-liked man, and the pub had a good reputation. He lived alone at the Punch outlet, which he had run for seven years. Punch regional operations manager Peter Stockton said: "He was a nice man and a highly valued and talented licensee dedicated to his work. Our sympathies go to those close to him at this tragic time." Forensics officers were this week carrying out detailed searches of the premises and surrounding area. The pub is in an isolated spot on Norton Road, not overlooked by residential properties and surrounded by fields. Other licensees in the area were left stunned by the murder. Christine Ainger, licensee of the Block and Chipper, also on Norton Road, said: "It is the only pub in the area with no houses nearby. It is such a shock because our pubs are so close to each other." Jane Tonks, manager of the Old House at Home, also on Norton Road, added: "I am well and truly secure here with CCTV and alarms, but it is obviously really upsetting this could happen. All my customers are really shocked as well. "Pubs always have different people coming in and out and we have to do all we can to be secure and safe. But this is a nice area, a close-knit community, and we can't believe this could happen here." West Midlands Police are appealing for anyone who was in the area between 2am and 9am on 27 April or who knew Mr Hughes to get in contact.