25-year pub ban for drinker who pulled knife
A workman who pulled out a knife when trouble flared outside a city pub has been spared jail.
Philip Marley had been asked to leave Reubens Bar in Sunderland and was "argumentative" with the owner and staff as he left through the front door last August.
Newcastle Crown court heard the 35-year-old then headed to the back of the pub and pulled out a Stanley knife, that he had been carrying for his job in the building trade, during a confrontation with a group of people.
Prosecutor Vince Ward said police were called and arrived quickly at the scene to arrest Marley, who caused "no major public disruption".
Marley, of Noble Street, Hendon, Sunderland, admitted having a bladed article and threatening behaviour.
Alec Burns, defending, said Marley has been banned from Sunderland pubs for 25 years as a result of his behaviour that day.
Mr Burns said Marley had recently split from his longterm partner and had been using drink and drugs to cope but now has that under control.
Mr Burns added: "He's in the building trade and had gone to the pub on his way home from work.
“He hadn't armed himself, it's something he had with him for work."
Judge Julie Clemitson sentenced Marley to nine months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with rehabilitation requirements and a sixmonth nighttime curfew.
The judge told him: "It was not something you habitually carried with you as a weapon, it's an item you used for work.”
She added: "Had you carried it habitually to use as a weapon the outcome of this hearing would be very different."