Former publican regrets drunken rage
In the dock on Thursday, January 15, was Ronald James Allen of Marlston Road, Hermitage.
The 41-year-old, who used to run several local pubs including The Catherine Wheel in Cheap Street, Newbury, was afterwards horrified by his own actions, the court was told.
Helen Waite, prosecuting, said door staff at the Hogshead in Wharf Street, Newbury, were told to keep an eye on a particular group of men at the bar.
She added: “It was around 1am and one of them seemed to be particularly drunk, staggering and upsetting other customers. As a result he was asked to leave the premises and the doorman placed a guiding hand on his back.”
With that, magistrates were told,. Mr Allen became angry and aggressive, shouting: “Don’t touch me.”
Ms Waite said: “As a result the doorman used some force, pulling him by the hand towards the exit, explaining that the management had the right to eject him, before pushing him forward a few feet onto the pavement.
“He thought he had got rid of (Mr Allen) but as he turned to speak to a colleague he felt a punch to his right ear, which caused him pain and caused his glasses to fall off. Together they restrained Mr Allen and held him on the floor until police arrived.”
She added: “Once arrested, Mr Allen seemed embarassed and ashamed. He told officers he used to work as a publican and should have known better. He said he wanted to apologise to the doorman, who had only been doing his job.”
Mr Allen admitted assaulting Olufunmilade Shobowale by beating him on December 7 last year.
Adonis Daniel, defending, also stressed his client’s “remorse and contrition,” adding: “He is embarassed by his actions and wanted to apologise. He does not normally go out drinking but on this occasion he had bumped into some old friends who kept buying him drinks. His actions were clearly out of character for him and he bitterly regrets them. It was just one blow and the doorman was not injured and was able to continue with his shift for the night.”
Magistrates fined Mr Allen £200 and ordered him to pay £85 costs plus a statutory surcharge of £20.
In addition, Mr Allen was ordered to pay £80 to Mr Shobowale to compensate him for his pain and discomfort.