Pub landlord was harassed by builder

A BUILDER has escaped jail for a series of crimes against a Heyside pub landlord.

Paul Thompson (32), of Middleton Road, Royton, was convicted of criminal damage, two charges of public disorder and one charge of harassment after a trial.

At Oldham Magistrates’ Court yesterday, he was given a 12-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months and ordered to carry out community service of 180 hours’ unpaid work.

As reported by the Oldham Chronicle, Moss Inn landlord John Weldon had suffered months of intimidation by thugs wanting him out of his pub.

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.

The charges against Thompson related to an incident on December 9 last year when he exposed himself and made offensive comments, causing families with children enjoying a meal in the pub to leave.

He twice returned to the pub and was abusive. He also posted two offensive messages on website Facebook.

On January 26, Thompson and friend Michael Kenyon went to Mr Weldon’s near-by house and filled the locks and hinges with expanding foam, destroying the doors.

Magistrates’ chairman Phil Lancaster told Thompson he could have been jailed but he was not getting off lightly as he would have to complete every hour of the community punishment. If he returns to court on any other matter in the next year he will go to prison.

He added: “The behaviour was intolerable. It’s disgraceful. You have escaped custody by the skin of your teeth and you need to be aware of that.”

Thompson was also ordered to pay £200 costs and £200 compensation.

Tim Hughes, defending, said the court case had been an unpleasant experience for Thompson. He added: “He’s planning on a new start.”

Kenyon (31), of Brownhill Avenue, Royton, had been given a conditional discharge for two years at an earlier hearing and ordered to pay the same costs and compensation.