Worksop: Suspended sentence for man who threatened a drinker outside Vine pub

Liam Carter, who used to live in Worksop, but is now of Patience Avenue, Seaton Burn, Newcastle, was sentenced at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 14th November.

He had previously pleaded guilty at Worksop Magistrates’ Court on 2nd October.

The court heard that James Rumsey had been out drinking with friends and was outside the Vine Inn, on Carlton Road, at around 1.30am on 25th May 2014.

Rumsey left the pub on his own after finishing his last drink and he was assaulted by a man.

Whilst he tried to arrange for an ambulance to attend the scene, Rumsey saw three males closeby who he thought might have had something to do with the attack.

He said that soon afterwards, Carter approached him and was aggressive, shouted at him, made threats and had his fists clenched.

Rumsey said that he thought Carter was about to attack him before the landlord of the pub stepped in and ‘pinned him to the floor.’

The landlord said he saw Carter approach Rumsey and that he heard somebody shouting threats and so decided to ‘take him to the ground.’

The crowd outside the bar then dispersed and Carter was identified by the landlord’s daughter who recognised him.

Carter was arrested and in police interview he said that he had been out with friends at a couple of pubs before and ended up at the Vine.

He admitted that he offered to fight Rumsey and confronted him but the landlord stopped him.

In mitigation, Ian Pridham, said that there was some ‘antagonism’ from Rumsey towards Carter, who apparently headed in the direction of Carter but was restrained by friends.

“The defendant accepts that he was acting inappropriately,” Mr Pridham added.

“There was a bit of ‘shadow boxing’ that took place.”

“Earlier he was actually the peace maker by holding one of his friends away.”

“This was a one-off incident that he has learnt from.”

The magistrates sentenced Carter to a two-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months.

He was also ordered to complete 180 hours community service and must pay £80 victim surcharge and £85 costs.