Punches fly as pub minder leaves drinker with 'loose tooth and bloody nose'

A punter helping to supervise a pub assaulted a customer - after they had left the venue. Aaron Wolstenholme carried out the attack outside The Black Friar, in Newcastle, in May 2024.

North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard the 38-year-old knocked his victim to the ground, leaving him with a loose tooth and a bloody nose.

Prosecutor Lucy Allen told the court: The victim had visited a takeaway to get a pizza. While it was being prepared, he went into The Black Friar, on Newcastle High Street, to get a drink. Inside there was a conversation about people being unable to see their children. The victim mentioned he could not see his children due to a recent court proceeding.

The victim says tensions rose due to the nature of the conversation. The defendant was not involved in the conversation. When the victim left the pub, he saw the defendant coming up behind him. The defendant punched him twice and knocked him to the floor. He then punched the victim a third time while he was on the ground.

The defendant then began searching the victims pockets. He believed he had a knife and said this was the reason he had assaulted him. No knife was found on the victims person.

CCTV footage of the attack was played showing the defendant delivering three punches to the victim as he was walking away.

Wolstenholme, of Bennett Place, Bradwell, was convicted of assault following a trial.

Iain Hayley, mitigating, said that Wolstenhome believed he was acting in self-defence.

He explained: On the evening in question, Mr Wolstenholme had been helping to look after the pub. He was dating the licence holder at the time. There was only one female member of staff working on the bar so the defendant was asked to make sure the service went smoothly.

The victim reportedly spoke to the barmaid and said something that upset her. The defendant asked him to leave. The victim said something to the effect of who are you to ask me to leave. The conversation continued outside. The victim told the defendant he had a knife.

Mr Wolstenholme accepted he struck the victim. He believed he was acting in self-defence. Perhaps he should have turned his back once the victim left the pub. But he had a genuine belief the victim was armed.

This is an extremely old offence. In between then and now, he hasnt troubled the courts. He has committed no offences of a similar nature. He is 38 years old, single and living in a HMO. He is looking to get a property so his daughter can move in with him and he can help with her problems.

Wolstenholme was slapped with a 20-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, with 20 rehabilitation days. He must also pay 804 costs.

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