MUSLIM-CONVERT WENT TO PUB WITH METAL BAR

Armed man threatened drinkers and landlord after street attack

MUSLIM-CONVERT Daniel Flint armed himself with a metal bar and returned to a pub to confront a man after being attacked in the street.

The 32-year-old saw red after storming out of The King William pub, in Talke Pits, and being attacked on his way home.

He responded by grabbing a metal trolley jack handle from his flat and trying to get back inside the boozer.

But the landlord locked the door for everyone’s safety and the defendant was arrested outside.

Now Flint – who says he has been subjected to harassment and abuse since converting to the Muslim faith three years ago – has been handed a 12-month community order with a rehabilitation activity requirement for 20 days at North Staffordshire Justice Centre.

The court heard Flint became angry after being told to leave the pub at around 9.50pm on June 7.

Prosecutor Ruth Bentley said: “The licensee told the defendant to keep the noise down and if he did not control his mouth he would have to go home.

“The defendant threw the contents of a pint glass towards the bar and it smashed on the floor.

“He then left very quickly by the main door, causing the glass to crack.

“The licensee was later outside when he heard someone shouting, ‘He has got a weapon’.

“The defendant was chasing after them with a red bar.

“He was waving the bar and hit the door with it.

“The police were called. They attended and the defendant was arrested.”

Flint, of Queens Gardens, Talke Pits, pleaded guilty to criminal damage, using threatening words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of violence, and possession of an offensive weapon in public.

The court heard Flint has received lots of support from the Muslim community since converting to the Islamic faith.

But the court heard he has also been beaten up and had stones thrown at his home.

His flat was also searched on suspicion that he was connected to ISIS, and that had caused him a lot of stress.

Lesley Barnett, mitigating, said: “He was assaulted on his way home by someone.

“Instead of going to his flat, locking himself in and calling the police, he grabbed a trolley jack handle, went over to the pub, banged on the door and caused fear for those inside the pub.

“He was in the street in a public place in possession of a metal bar.”

As well as the community order, Flint was fined £50 and ordered to pay £135 costs and an £85 surcharge.