A drunk man with a long history of alcohol-related offences burst into a Northumberland pub and threatened staff and customers after being refused service. Alan Turner, 48, who has 136 prior offences on his record, appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court this week.
The court heard that Turner, formerly of the Pegswood area but now of no fixed abode, stumbled into The Sun in Bedlington on May 28. When told he would not be served, he began shouting and swearing, raised his fists aggressively, and threatened, "I will smash you." Staff contacted the police.
Arrest and Further Incident
Turner was arrested for that offence, but just two months later, on July 14, he was detained again for being drunk and disorderly at Haymarket Bus Station in Newcastle City Centre. He had been due to appear in court earlier this week but was refused access to the building, leading to a warrant for his arrest.
He appeared in custody 24 hours later and pleaded guilty to a public order offence and being drunk and disorderly. Prosecutor Christopher O'Brien detailed the pub incident, saying Turner swore at staff and customers and held up his fists aggressively.
Defence and Court Outcome
Mark Styles, defending, said Turner and the pub's landlord did not get on, and the incident started with an argument between them. He added that Turner uses alcohol as a crutch and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.
District Judge Kate Meek adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report and released Turner on bail. He is due back at the same court on August 26.
