A STAG party reveller involved in “disgraceful” Penrith pub violence has had his sentence cut on appeal.
Forty-year-old Darren Solway took part in fighting which was started by others inside the town’s Dog Beck, Southend Road, late on September 1.
Despite a host of people taking part, Solway was one of only two men arrested and charged. Both were later sentenced after they admitted being involved in violent scenes which erupted in front of other customers and were captured on pub CCTV.
While he didn’t start what a prosecutor called a “free for all”, Solway threw punches during three separate altercations.
He was handed a community order comprising a night-time curfew, while another stag party member was jailed for punching a man and trying to bite his face.
But Solway lodged an appeal against the severity of his punishment. This was heard at Carlisle Crown Court today (TUES).
After hearing evidence, Judge Andrew Jefferies QC – sitting with two magistrates – cut Solway’s curfew length from six months to three.
“People having a nice quiet drink don’t suddenly want to be met with a group of brawling men. It was quite disgraceful behaviour,” Judge Jefferies said to Solway, of Birch Close, Poulton-le-Fylde. “You are too old, frankly, for getting involved in fighting in a pub.”
