Man damaged pub door after being kicked out for not wearing face covering
DRINKER Jake Hepworth damaged a pub door after he was kicked out for refusing to wear a mask.
The 27-year-old was escorted from The Black Swan in Leek because he was not abiding by Covid-19 guidelines.
After repeatedly kicking the venue’s door – causing considerable damage – he refused to cooperate with police who tried to arrest him.
Magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard officers were forced to deploy their incapacitant Pava spray in order to detain him.
Prosecutor Emma Thompson said: “The offence took place on September 27, 2020, just after 4pm.
“The defendant was in the pub. He was not wearing a mask or abiding by Covid regulations. The licensee asked the defendant to put a mask on. He was verbally abusive.
“He was asked to leave and was escorted from the pub. He carried on being abusive and tried to re-enter several times.
“The licensee was forced to shut and lock the door to stop the defendant entering.
“The defendant kicked the door several times, causing damage.”
Police were called to the Sheepmarket pub, which is known locally as The Mucky Duck, and viewed CCTV of the incident. They then located Hepworth elsewhere in the town centre.
Ms Thompson said: “He was given the opportunity to pay for the damage. Because he continued to be aggressive and would not engage with officers, they attempted to arrest him. He struggled violently and resisted arrest. Officers had to use Pava spray.”
Following his arrest, Hepworth, of York Street, Leek, told police he had drunk five pints prior to the incident. He went on to plead guilty to causing criminal damage and resisting an officer in the execution of his duty. He had no previous convictions.
Zoe Leese, mitigating, said: “He accepts he caused the damage. He says the licensee was heavy-handed and there was a scuffle. He accepts he took his frustration out on the door.
“He works for a local company as a production operative. He is due to become a father in the very near future and wants to put this matter behind him.”
Magistrates fined Hepworth £266 for causing the damage, and ordered him to pay £130 compensation. He was handed a 12-month conditional discharge for the second offence, meaning he will be further punished if he commits another offence in the next year.
Colin Porteous, chairman of the bench, said: “This incident all stems from your refusal to wear a mask and respect the Covid-19 regulations that are in force.”
Hepworth must also pay £169 in court costs and charges, leaving him with a total court bill of
£565.