Dj Battered In Pub Party Row

[Dukesy 0]

A MAN beat up a DJ after his sister was barred from performing karaoke in a Plymouth pub, a court has been told.

 

His victim was left on a liquid diet following the 'evening of insanity', Plymouth Crown Court was told.

 

The court heard that Philip Butcher, aged 30, of Warwick Avenue in Whitleigh, was convicted of grievous bodily harm while his sister Louise Butcher, aged 33, of Marldon Close in West Park, was convicted of affray at an earlier hearing.

 

In court yesterday Nick Lewin, prosecuting, said last October at the Ferry House Inn on Wolseley Road, there had been karaoke and an 18th birthday party.

 

Louise demanded an opportunity to perform, and "took some umbrage" when the pub's owner told her the event was fully booked, he said.

 

"It was clear she had too much to drink. A man called Lightfoot became involved and the argument became physical."

 

Mr Lewin said the DJ, Dale Moore, said he was punched by Mr Lightfoot and punched back, leading to Philip getting involved.

 

"Mr Moore described receiving a blow to the right side of his head," Mr Lewin said.

 

He added that during the fight, Philip also pushed a female over a table and caused £500 of damage to the bar.

 

Philip and Louise were ejected, but Louise returned and headbutted a man, then 'repeatedly stamped' on Mr Moore's body and punched a man in the face, Mr Lewin said.

 

The siblings were then arrested.

 

Mr Lewin said Mr Moore suffered injuries including a fractured jaw and cheekbone, a broken nose, a blood clot and swelling.

 

"He was on a liquid diet for some time. He said he was in a state of severe shock and unsure about his future. He didn't believe he could carry on with the entertainment work he was doing."

 

Bob Linford, for Philip Butcher, described the incident as 'an evening of insanity'.

 

"The other side of him is a hard- working, decent, pleasant and friendly family man," he said.

 

He said a local newspaper had reported that Philip had run into a burning building to save the lives of others in May 2007 and added that a probation officer had called his client 'a tender-hearted man'.

 

The Herald reported how Butcher, then a cab driver, had rammed open the door of the Wyndham Arms in Stonehouse to alert the occupants to a fire, injuring his arm and shoulder.

 

Mr Linford said Philip had acted in defence of his friend who had been set upon in the pub, and 'offered no excuses' and 'remorse in abundance'.

 

He had also vowed never to drink again, the court heard.

 

He added that Philip worked at a cavity wall insulation company and was also a carer for his mother, who had back problems.

 

Piers Norsworthy, defending Louise, said seven days after the incident, while on bail, Louise had punched a woman at the Trelawney Arms on Wolseley Road.

 

She pleaded guilty and was given 100 hours of community service and ordered to pay £20 a month in compensation.

 

Louise had been under the influence of antidepressants and alcohol when the Ferry House Inn incident occurred, he added.

 

His Honour Lester Boothman, sentencing, said: "I am satisfied that this was out of character and you both show real and genuine remorse."

 

He sentenced Philip to 12 months in prison suspended for two years, 250 hours of unpaid work and ordered him to pay £1,000 compensation to Mr Moore and £250 for damage to the pub.

 

Louise was sentenced to three months in prison suspended for two years and ordered to do 100 hours' unpaid work and also to pay £250 compensation for damage to the pub.

 

Source

[deejaymitch 0]

Sadly I can only this happening more and more often.

[McCardle 1]

and ordered him to pay £1,000 compensation to Mr Moore

 

So thats the figure put on 'pain and suffering' these days is it, not to mention loss of earnings currently through being unable to work, how about the fact that he's considering having to give up his career because of the incident.

 

£1000 - the new thirty pieces of silver.

 

i am re-assured to think that I live in a country where not paying for a piece of paper in order to legally watch tripe on a tv is considered a similar heinous crime, attracting the same fine as being attacked and savagely beaten whilst trying to earn a living.

 

Nobody else has to put up with threats or abuse whilst going about their daily employment, so neither should we. Besides If this is how somebody reacts through being denied being able to sing on the Karaoke, i'd hate to be around them when they are faced with some real problems

 

Sadly I can only this happening more and more often

 

Yes, and with mild slap on the wrists like this given as a 'deterant', I don't see anything thats likely to stop it either

Edited July 1, 2009 by McCardle

[D.X 0]

I was offered a pub gig last month. It was for reasons like this I turned it down. I know it can happen anywhere but all these DJ related tales of violence always seem to happen in pubs.