Police launch probe into man's death

Police have launched a murder inquiry after a man died following disturbances at a Torquay pub. Michael Duffy, 31, who is from the Torbay area, died in hospital on Sunday after he was found with serious injuries to his head at the Country House on Ellacombe Road, Torquay on Friday night. Two local men were arrested on suspicion of murder and were later bailed. Detective Inspector Steve Carey appealed for witnesses, particularly anyone who left the pub before officers arrived. Anyone with information is urged to phone Torquay Police on 08452 777 444. Mediator's' kick was too gratuitous A mediator in a pub fight went too far when he kicked a man who was acting violently, a court heard. Stuart McTomney, of Lichfield Road, Cannock, was drinking at the Nag's Head in Smalley, Derbyshire, during a karaoke night at the pub last July. He stepped in to help when Cordell Cater hit the licensee, Derby Crown Court was told on Thursday last week, and was met by a punch from Cater. McTomney then returned the blow in self-defence, causing Cater to fall to the ground. Godfrey Napthine, prosecuting, said McTomney then kicked Cater while he lay on the ground, breaking his cheekbone. Avik Mukherjee, defending, said McTomney could not be blamed for hitting Cater as it was in self-defence, although he admitted the kick was "gratuitous". McTomney admitted grievous bodily harm and was ordered to carry out 180 hours community punishment and pay £500 compensation plus £728 costs. Pub chef robbed boss with fake gun A pub chef has been jailed for seven years for robbing his boss with a fake gun and trying to steal nearly £10,000. Chef Chifri Madjid approached Dean Wynn, deputy manager at the Locks in Brindleyplace, Birmingham, in the pub's office in January. Madjid poked the back of his head with a hard object and demanded he opened the safe, Birmingham Crown Court heard last week. The chef, who was wearing a balaclava and gloves, then made Wynn lie face down while he handcuffed him. But the handcuff only locked onto his right wrist, so when Madjid fled, Wynn followed him down Broad Street and enlisted the help of two security guards. Madjid was tripped by a passer-by and detained by Wynn. Madjid, of Acorn Drive, Ladywood, Birmingham, admitted robbery and possessing an imitation firearm. Warning of bogus charity collector Police and a children's charity are warning pub staff and customers in Bath to beware after a rogue charity collector was spotted in a pub. A woman claiming to be collecting for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) was seen at a Bath pub with a home-made tin, offering lollipops to people who made donations. The Bath branch of the NSPCC was alerted and said the "collector" was bogus. The NSPCC says collectors do not usually go into pubs ­ and the next official NSPCC collection is not until 3 July. Official collectors have a card to prove they are genuine. Man is jailed for killing doorman A Leicester man has been jailed for three years for his part in the death of a pub doorman who was crushed under the wheels of a car. Sirdool Singh Lidar, 42, of no fixed address, was jailed for the manslaughter of Kulwinder Singh Soor, 31. Soor died after a disagreement about who was allowed to enter a private party at the Dove in Evington, Leicester, where he was a doorman. Leicester Crown Court heard that brothers Sirdool Singh Lidar and Narinder Lidar returned to their Range Rover. Sirdool Singh Lidar, who was a passenger in the car, wound down his window and insulted Soor, who ran towards the car. The vehicle drove off with Soor hanging from the window. He was dragged along the road then fell under the wheels. Narinder Lidar had been jailed for five years for manslaughter. A Leicester man has been jailed for three years for his part in the death of a pub doorman who was crushed under the wheels of a car. Sirdool Singh Lidar, 42, of no fixed address, was jailed for the manslaughter of Kulwinder Singh Soor. The 31-year-old died after a disagreement about who was allowed to enter a private party at the Dove in Evington, Leicester, where he was working as a doorman. Leicester Crown Court heard that Soor tried to stop brothers Sirdool Singh Lidar and Narinder Lidar entering the pub. The brothers returned to their Range Rover. Sirdool Singh Lidar got into the passenger seat and Narinder climbed into the driver's seat. Sirdool Singh Lidar wound down his window and insulted Soor, who ran towards the car. The vehicle then drove off with the doorman hanging out of the window. Soor was dragged along the road before falling under the wheels. Narinder Lidar was arrested soon after the incident and jailed for five years for manslaughter. Sirdool Singh Lidar had fled the country but gave himself up to police in December.