Pub regular who threatened landlord with knife after being barred loses appeal

A barred pub regular who was 'foaming at the mouth' as he held a knife to the landlord's throat, got the punishment he deserved, senior judges have ruled.
The court dismissed Vincent Watson's appeal.The court dismissed Vincent Watson's appeal.
The court dismissed Vincent Watson's appeal.

Vincent Watson, 50, of Ascot Street, Peterlee, drank at the Leather Cap in Easington, London's Criminal Appeal Court heard today.

But by June last year, his "alcohol-fuelled behaviour was causing significant problems." said Mrs Justice Cox.

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He was "abusive and rude" to customers and landlord Michael Walsh's wife.

On July 5, Mr Walsh walked over to Watson's home opposite the pub and told him not to return.

But when the landlord went to his car later that day, Watson approached, said he was "going to kill him" and held a knife to his throat.

Mr Walsh managed to disarm Watson, who the judge said was foaming at the mouth, but was left with a cut to his cheek.

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On July 11, after being released on bail, Watson returned to the pub and threatened: "I am going to kill you and torch the place. It's going to burn."

Watson was caged for three and a half years at Durham Crown Court on October 16 last year.

He admitted possession of an offensive weapon, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and threatening to destroy or damage property.

He had 40 previous convictions for crimes including criminal damage and threatening behaviour.

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Watson's lawyers argued his jail term was far too tough and he did not get enough credit for his guilty pleas.

But Mrs Justice Cox said: "The total sentence of 42 months cannot even arguably be said to be manifestly excessive or wrong in principle."

The judge, who was sitting with Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC, dismissed the appeal.