Police on murder trail

Four people arrested in connection with the murder of a man at a Cambridgeshire pub have been released without charge. Peter Stone, 37, died last Monday after sustaining head injuries when he was attacked with a blunt instrument at the Chequers in his home village of Cottenham. The four men were arrested in Swansea last Thursday. A fifth man, arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice, has been released on bail. Officers carried out a forensic search of the pub, and urge witnesses to come forward. Local churches and the parish council have set up a fund to support the victim's family. Stab victim is stable Police are questioning three people in connection with a stabbing incident at a Cambridgeshire pub. Officers were called to the Hampton in Hampton Hargate, Peterborough, at around 10.45pm on Sunday following reports that a man had been stabbed. A 19-year-old man, a woman and another man are being questioned. The man was taken to the Peterborough District Hospital, where his condition at the time of going to press was described as stable. Pubs adopt Bar-U plan Four pubs in Darwen, Lancashire, have joined a poster scheme aimed at stopping trouble at venues over Christmas. Pubs in the "Bar-U" scheme will display posters detailing the "Ten Commandments" of behaviour expected from revellers. The rules include no assaulting of staff or police officers and no criminal damage inside or outside the pub. Anyone breaking the rules will be banned for one year from the 15 town-centre pubs now taking part, at the discretion of the Bar-U committee of licensees. Photos of those who have been banned will be displayed inside the pubs. Five people have been banned under the scheme since it was launched in July, originally at 11 venues. Man cleared of assault A man has been cleared of assaulting a host after he was barred from his pub. Steven Martin, of Garrick Street, Nelson, Lancashire, was found not guilty of causing actual bodily harm at Burnley Crown Court last week. The jury was told that Martin, 45, repeatedly hit Keith Thompson, licensee of the Lord Nelson in Nelson, in the face. The defendant later told police he was acting in self defence, claiming Thompson had tried to bite him on the legs after asking him into the pub's foyer. Martin told officers he had managed to take a swing at Thompson while trying to protect himself, hitting the host in the chin. Two-way radio cover A radio surveillance system is being used by hosts at eight late-night venues in Barry, South Wales, to stop the spread of drunken disorder. The outlets are using MRS Communications' hand-held two-way radios, which allow venues to alert each other, as well as local police and restaurants, to troublemakers. Punter fined for disorder A man admitted being drunk and disorderly in a Lincolnshire pub, but blamed police for provoking him. Police were called to Martha's Vineyard in Newland, Lincoln, on 30 November, after reports that the toilets at the outlet had been damaged, Lincoln Magistrates Court heard this week. Officers found a man with a cut on his head who was then joined by his brother, defendant Stuart David Whitelaw, of Elder Street, Lincoln. The injured man was taken to an ambulance. Jim Clare, prosecuting, said: "[The defendant] smelled heavily of alcohol and was immediately aggressive. He refused several times to leave." Whitelaw was ejected from the pub, but walked towards the police car, where he was arrested. The defendant said police had "barged in" and "provoked the situation", adding: "They said they were going to arrest my brother, but I told them he needed help." He was fined £100 plus £55 costs.