South Tyneside councillor admits to hitting a barman with a bottle after being refused alcohol
A South Tyneside councillor has pleaded guilty to hitting a barman with a bottle after he was refused service in a Jarrow pub.
A drunken South Tyneside councillor hit a barman on the head with a bottle when refused more booze – causing paramedics to be called, a court heard.
Alexander Barr, 57, left the man injured when he threw what amounted to “a weapon” at the Lord Nelson pub, in Jarrow.
But Barr, of York Avenue, Jarrow, received “summary punishment” for his behaviour at 8.30pm on Sunday, August 9.
He was attacked by other customers and sustained such injuries he needed an operation for an eye injury.
Barr, who quit as a Reform councillor for the Primrose ward in August and now sits as an Independent, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault by beating.
The project engineer was hit with fines and costs totalling almost £3,300, which includes a £250 compensation payment to his victim.
No previous convictions
Prosecutor George Johnston said: “The victim was behind the bar of the Lord Nelson pub and the defendant was a customer in the bar and he tried to get the victim’s attention to order drinks.
“When served, the defendant tried to order shots, but the victim refused on the basis that he believed he was intoxicated.
“He became abusive and hurled insults before being led away but the defendant then returned to the bar area and threw a bottle.
“It hit the victim to the head. The victim was treated at the scene by paramedics. It was caught on CCTV.”
South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard that Barr has no previous convictions.
‘A bottle is a weapon’
Paul Hanratty, defending, said Barr had done positive work in the community, including being instrumental in a youth boxing project and a police knife crime initiative.
Mr Hanratty said: “On the day in question, the defendant had consumed more alcohol than he ought to have done and add to that a veritable cocktail of medication.
“His behaviour was of an uncharacteristic fashion. At some point it seems some members of the clientele remonstrated with the defendant.
“A bottle then flies through the air and hits the barman on the head. The defendant was assaulted himself.
“His injury was so significant that he suffered a fracture to an eye socket and was hospitalised and had to undergo surgery.
“He may feel that he suffered summary punishment, there at the bar. He says he can’t remember much before throwing the bottle in frustration.”
He added: “As a result of the assault on him, he couldn’t work for a period of time but is getting back into work.
“He is someone who represents members of the public as a councillor. There has been adverse publicity in the media and social media.
“He is embarrassed and bitterly regrets what he did. This is high culpability, a bottle is a weapon.
“He feels he has let down the community, but I think the person he has let down the most is himself. He will carry the stain of this conviction for the rest of his life.”
Ordered to pay almost £3,300
Magistrates ordered Barr to pay his victim compensation and fined him £2,115, with an £846 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.
Kenneth Wilson, chair of the bench, said he accepted Barr was remorseful and recognised the work he did in the community.
But he added: “Getting drunk and throwing a bottle at people isn’t a good look considering your position and circumstances.”