One of two men who fought inside a Wigton pub has been jailed for his part in the violence.
Carlisle Magistrates’ Court heard today how Lee Jefferson, 27, went to the Throstle’s Nest on December 1 last year at around 3-10pm. He had previously been barred from the premises and the purpose of his visit was to speak with the manager and ask whether the ban could be lifted.
A comment was then made by another man in the pub, who Jefferson struck, unprovoked, in the face. “At that point they started to have a fight,” said prosecutor Diane Jackson. “It is a serious incident. It lasted for around five minutes.”
Members of the public were present inside the pub, with one trying unsuccessfully to stop the violence.
Jefferson left the premises but, when he returned, the fight restarted. He picked up a ball off a pool table but this was not used during an incident which ended after Jefferson departed.
In court he admitted a charge of threatening behaviour.
Defence solicitor Duncan Campbell told magistrates while giving mitigation that Jefferson, of Church View, Aspatria, sincerely apologised for his conduct, and that he had not initially intended to cause trouble.
The other man had been charged in connection with the incident, and was also due to appear in court. “This is very much half a dozen of one, six of another,” said Mr Campbell.
Jefferson was given an immediate 10-week prison sentence.
