Drunks punched barmen

David Alan Howe, of Fourth Avenue, Hightown, was jailed for 16 weeks for the attack.

Accomplice Leigh Turton was given a six-month community order with supervision for one charge of assault.

Prosecuting at Batley and Dewsbury Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, Andy Wills said the pair entered the Union Rooms in Branch Road at around 4.30pm on July 10.

He said: “It’s fair to say both defendants had been on a pub crawl during the day.

“Because of their behaviour manager Wesley Gore refused to serve them any more alcohol.”

Mr Wills said Howe, 28, took offence to the refusal and began throwing containers for drinking straws at the manager.

When it became apparent Howe would not leave quietly, Mr Gore took him by the arm.

Howe then started to punch the manager in the head.

Another staff member, Matthew Walker, tried to help his boss by taking hold of Howe, but Howe then punched him in the face.

Mr Wills said Turton, of High Street, Dewsbury, made his way to the entrance of the pub but seeing the commotion he too punched Mr Walker in the face.

The police were called and the pair left the pub.

Howe was identified by police and arrested, but he escaped as they tried to arrest Turton.

Mr Wills said a chase ensued and Howe was found in a small park nearby. While being restrained by PC Paul Cleary, he became verbally abusive and began to struggle.

He headbutted the officer as he was being restrained.

Mr Wills said Mr Gore suffered the most injuries, with tenderness to his head and a scratch on his chin.

Both defendants initially denied their involvement with the attack, but pleaded guilty before their trial was due to begin.

Mitigating for both defendants, Reg Le Pla said the pair were both binge drinkers.

He said Howe, who is currently awaiting sentence for more serious matters at Leeds Crown Court, was very remorseful for what had happened and expressed his apologies to everybody concerned.

Mr Le Pla said: “Mr Howe acknowledges the landlord was right to refuse him even one drink as it was obvious when he entered the premises he was drunk already.”

Mitigating for Turton, 26, Mr Le Pla said he only had a small involvement in the incident.

Turton was ordered to pay £100 compensation for the complainants’ suffering and mental stress.