Attacks aimed to destroy my life, says landlord

JOHN WELDON

A LANDLORD claims he suffered months of intimidation from a man who wanted him out of his pub.

John Weldon told Oldham Magistrates’ Court yesterday that the attacks included an internet campaign that falsely branded him a paedophile and his partner as a prostitute.

The former policeman and teacher claimed his house was vandalised, pub windows were smashed, he received threatening phone calls, and his partner Joanne Beverley and their 12-year-old daughter were verbally abused.

He said he had to move his daughter out of school after her friends read remarks on a website accusing him of attacking a child while he was a teacher.

Paul Thompson (32), of Middleton Road, Royton, denies criminal damage, two counts of public disorder and one count of harassment.

Michael Kenyon (31), of Brownhill Avenue, Royton, denies criminal damage.

Mr Weldon said he took over the Moss Inn, Heyside, in August last year and struggled to transform it into a family pub.

He said he barred Mr Thompson on December 9 last year for exposing himself and making comments as people were about to eat a Sunday lunch. Two families walked out.

He said Mr Thompson twice returned to the pub and was abusive.

On January 26, Mr Weldon was told by a neighbour that two males were lurking near his house. He arrived home to find two doors had been ruined and said he saw Mr Thompson and Mr Kenyon walking away.

Mr Weldon said: “This man (Thompson) has tried to take my living off me and destroy my self-esteem. He made it his mission to try to get us out of the pub and make our life a misery.”

Thompson, a builder, denies exposing himself or making offensive comments. He said he merely unbuttoned the top of his jeans to show his superman underpants to friends for a laugh.

He said he returned to the Moss Inn on December 29 to make sure his brother was all right after a friend was assaulted there, and again on January 19, to speak to Mr Weldon as he was upset at being barred and not being allowed to attend a friend’s wake.

Thompson said Mr Weldon had barred people who had done nothing wrong. He said he had never taken drugs.

He denied having any involvement in criminal damage and said he was responsible for only two messages on Facebook, which he said were written for fun.

Thompson said Mr Weldon had a vendetta against him.

He admitted he had a conviction for criminal damage after throwing a brick through a police station window, but said he had been angry that a paedophile had been given a light sentence.

Mr Kenyon denied committing the damage to the doors.

The trial continues.