Pub Customer Smashed Window And Slapped Barmaid After Brother Punched Cold

A pub customer working on a funeral eulogy for his best friend ended the evening smashing a window with a metal bucket and slapping a barmaid across the face after his brother was decked outside.

Haulage and waste disposal operator Nigel Sullivan, 45, of Orchard House, Fulmer Lane, Fulmer, Slough began the evening in reflective mood, but went berserk when his sibling was punched unconscious and had to be rushed to hospital.

He pleaded guilty at Hammersmith Magistrates Court to causing £200 worth of criminal damage to the window of the Conningham Arms, Uxbridge Road, Shepherd's Bush on April 26 and assaulting Bridgette Lacey.

Prosecutor Miss Izolda Switala-Gribbin told the court police were called to the pub at 11pm after a fight outside involving the defendant's brother, who suffered injuries.

“The defendant was seen throwing a bucket that was used as an outside ashtray and smashing the window and he slapped Miss Lacey across the face before he was moved away by other members of the public.

“He initially denied assaulting Miss Lacey, saying he would never hit a woman.

“She did complain of pain, but there were no visible injuries.”

The court was told Sullivan had agreed to meet his brother at the pub to reflect on the recent passing of his best friend and talk about the eulogy he was to deliver at the funeral two days later.

Sullivan claims his brother was “viciously assaulted” outside and he became “very upset and angry” that his sibling was lying helpless on the ground out cold and there was no effort to call the emergency services.

He took his anger out on the pub and threw the metal bucket through the window and lashed out at Miss Lacey, believing staff were not co-operating with assisting his brother.

The court also heard father-of-two Sullivan was under personal and professional pressure with his bank recently calling in a £50,000 loan and starting repossession proceedings on the family home.

Bench chairwoman Miss S Dale announced: “You did cause a considerable amount of damage to the window and this was clearly a shocking incident for Miss Lacey.”

Sullivan was conditionally discharged for eighteen months, ordered to pay £200 compensation to the pub, £100 compensation to Miss Lacey, £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.