Pub landlord ‘flouted terms of his licence’

Source: Bolton News

A PUB landlord “flouted the terms of his licence” by allowing a group of up to 150 English Defence League activists to drink alcohol from 9am on the morning of their town centre protest, a court heard.

Between 100 and 150 of the group’s members and supporters gathered at the Stag’s Head pub in Junction Road ahead of their Victoria Square protest on March 20, Bolton magistrates’ heard.

The court was told, against the rules of his licence and despite being explicitly advised to the contrary by police two days earlier, landlord Simon Kirkpatrick opened early, served alcohol, allowed people to have glass bottles and had no security staff on the pub’s door.

Later that morning, more than 50 police officers had to cordon off the pub and arrange for coaches to transport the EDL protesters into town so they would not march through Deane, where many Asian families live.

The court heard the EDL supporters, many of whom were wearing masks, hoods and scarves, were chanting “racist” songs.

Inspector Phil Spurgeon said Kirkpatrick “had a smile as big as the proverbial Cheshire Cat” as he served the men before 11am, the time permitted by his licence.

He said: “We asked him why he had opened up early and he said that he thought he could.”

Kirkpatrick told the court the back door of the pub was open at 9am because the cleaner was sweeping up outside, which allowed a group of about 30 to 40 men to take him by surprise by entering the pub.

He claimed the men demanded he served them alcohol and threatened to smash up the pub if he did not.

Kirkpatrick, appearing at Bolton Magistrates’ Court, said: “I haven’t got a clue why they came to my pub.

“Initially, I didn’t know who they were or what they wanted, apart from a drink.

“I thought serving them was the only option I had without harming the people who were with me, the pub and myself.”

He also said the police had advised him to stay open to prevent a public order problem developing.

Kirkpatrick, aged 39, of Buckley Lane, Farnworth, denies selling alcohol outside of his licensing hours, knowingly allowing disorderly conduct to take place and knowingly breaching the conditions of his licensing agreement.

More than 4,000 people from the EDL and United Against Fascism protested in Bolton town centre on March 20, and more than 100 people were arrested across the town throughout the day.

The trial continues.