Victims of violence call for tougher sentences

By Matt Eley Matt

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Violence Public house Domestic violence

Licensees have made further calls for authorities to take violent attacks on them more seriously after a spate of frightening incidents in pubs....

Licensees have made further calls for authorities to take violent attacks on them more seriously after a spate of frightening incidents in pubs.

Since the launch of the National Pubwatch Court Not Caution campaign, highlighting the issue, victims have been quick to share their experiences with The Publican​.

Dean Page, a partner in Smokey Joe's Roadhouse bar in Maidenhead, Berkshire, described a recent assault on one of his doorstaff as "the clearest case of naked aggression to a member of staff that I'd seen in 12 years in the trade".

The victim was punched by one of two men who were refused entry to the bar. "One of them hit the doorman squarely in the face," said Dean. "But one of the lads was released, and the other was cautioned on the grounds that he had no previous convictions.

"I know full well that if it was other way around, and my doorman had assaulted someone, he'd have been hauled across the coals."

Dean said publicans and their employees were simply asking for equal treatment under the law.

"We should be treated fairly - I believe that there is often a view by the police and the CPS that because we're serving alcohol we're somehow asking for it."

In another case, licensee Richard Bell has been off work for more than two months, in plaster with a ruptured bicep, after a Valentine's Day attack at Silent Woman Inn, in Wareham, Dorset.

Seven people, including Richard and his wife Denise, were assaulted after a row broke out in the pub.

"I can't fault the police on the night," said Denise. "They took statements and two men were arrested. But they were released the next day with a caution for affray, before the police could even know how serious the injuries they caused were.

"Without knowing the details, I think an officer just took the view that it was a pub fight, so it must have been six of one and half a dozen of the other."

Court Not Caution is calling for attacks on licensees to be dealt with in court rather than with a caution or on the spot fines.

So far nearly 500 people have signed a Downing Street petition on the issue. Back the campaign at petitions.number10.gov.uk/courtnotcaution

Related topics Other operators

Property of the week

Follow us

Pub Trade Guides

View more