Men banned from Telford pub for two years over abuse and threats
Two men have been banned from a Telford pub after getting into an argument with the licensee which involved one of them hurling racist abuse and making threats to burn the building down.
James Boyd and Adam Taylor went to The Dun Cow pub, in Trench, on October 8 last year, Telford Magistrates' Court heard.
Mr Chris Coughlan, prosecuting, said they had both been drinking and there was an argument between the pair and the pub’s licensee Balbinder Singh Bhandal, who did not want them to drink there.
Mr Coughlan said: “That’s when the defendants lost their temper. Both defendants are clearly angry. They make threats to the licensee.”
He said Boyd had threatened to burn the pub down and directed a racist comment at the licensee.
The court heard that while doing that, spit came out of Boyd’s mouth and landed on Mr Bhandal’s jumper.
Mr Coughlan said it was a “thoroughly distasteful incident”.
Police were called and Taylor tried to intervene, obstructing an officer from doing their duty.
Boyd, aged 33, of Turreff Avenue, Donnington, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated common assault.
Taylor, aged 36, of Church Walk, Donnington, admitted using threatening words or behaviour and obstructing a police officer in execution of their duty.
Both pleaded guilty.
Both defendants initially denied the offences but pleaded guilty on the day of their trial on Friday.
Mr Jamie Wade, for Boyd, said his client had they were initially served at the pub but, for reasons unknown to them, they were then refused service.
He said the argument had lasted about six or seven minutes and Boyd was initially the “peace keeper”.
Mr Wade said Boyd had said the racist comment in “the heat of the moment”.
He added that Boyd stated he was not racist.
Mr John McMillan, representing Taylor, said he “just got in the way” of a police officer and had not attempted to grab hold of them.
Both defendants were banned from going to The Dun Cow pub, in Trench, for a period of two years.
They were warned that if they breach the exclusion order they could face being sent to prison for one month, or be fined.
Boyd was ordered to carry out 200 hours’ unpaid work and pay £50 compensation to Mr Bhandal.
Taylor was told by magistrates to do 150 hours’ unpaid work.
They will also each have to pay £500 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.
