Jail after man became aggressive in Telford pub
A man who upset customers at a Telford pub by shouting, swearing and being aggressive has been sent to prison after magistrates activated a suspended sentence for theft.
Daniel Langford, 23, became argumentative at the Thomas Botfield pub in Telford Town Centre on New Year's Eve after a disagreement over the measure of a pint.
A member of staff, who had heard him swearing and threaten to smash a glass over the head of one of the customers, called the police – and then Langford started shouting at officers when they arrived, Telford Magistrates Court heard.
Langford, of Greenfields, Shifnal, admitted one charge of using threatening words and behaviour and causing alarm and distress when he appeared at court yesterday.
The court was told that Langford had been one of three men who had received suspended prison sentences for stealing lead in Bridgnorth.
Langford had been given a two-month prison sentence in November 2014 that had been suspended for two years for his part in the two thefts, which took place at a pub and a neighbouring building in Bridgnorth.
Mrs Kate Price, prosecuting, said after being asked to leave the pub Langford picked up his plate of food, walked to the exit and threw the plate down on the ground.
She said: "His behaviour was such to cause a number of diners with young families to leave the pub."
Mrs Price added: "He sat outside swearing at officers and anyone who came near him."
Langford was subsequently arrested. Mr Steven Meredith, for Langford, said that when someone was in breach of a suspended sentence it could be activated, unless it was unjust to do so.
Langford's recent offence would not carry a prison term, said Mr Meredith, who added that the defendant had moved home following the thefts conviction to avoid associating with the people who had previously got him into trouble.
He said his client suffered from alcohol problems and had managed to stop drinking "for quite a considerable amount of time".
Langford had stopped using cocaine and had tested negative as part of his probation supervision sessions, Mr Meredith said.
Magistrates sentenced Langford to six weeks in prison to run concurrently for each of the lead thefts. For the offence of using threatening words and behaviour he was given a conditional discharge of 12 months and ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge.
