Drunken thugs fought at the Friendship

TWO drunken thugs brought terror to an Oldham pub after buying 20 sambuccas at the bar.

Richard Wilson (22) and Mohammed Saleem (33) got drunk and trashed the Friendship Inn, in Manchester Road, in March last year.

Both men admitted affray and Wilson was sentenced to 12 months prison, while Saleem was given a four-month jail term suspended for two years by a judge at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester.

The pub was preparing for a 50th birthday party when the pair arrived and, according to witnesses, ordered the sambuccas. Saleem, of Bamford Street, Chadderton, kicked all of the party items on to the floor and said that he and Wilson were allowed to drink what they wanted.

Staff at the pub asked Wilson, of Macclesfield, to leave as he appeared drunk.

When he was asked for the second time, Wilson said he would jump behind the bar and ask the landlady what she was going to do about it.

The court heard a black member of staff was racially abused and pool balls were picked up and thrown.

Wilson punched a member of staff, who hit back in self-defence, and Saleem then joined in. Regulars of the pub tried to stop the fight.

Witnesses later said the previous landlady of the pub had moved out because of trouble and she had been living in fear.

Peter Edmonson, prosecuting, read out a statement from a witness who said: “It was very scary and reiterates what other people have been saying about why the previous landlady moved.”

When interviewed, Saleem said Wilson was drinking heavily and told staff not to give him any more alcohol. He admitted to fighting but said he couldn’t remember who he was fighting with as he had quite a bit to drink.

Wilson has a string of previous convictions including criminal damage, assault and destruction to property.

Judge Bernard Lever said Saleem had an appalling record, including 11 motoring convictions, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, harassing a 18-year-old black woman and racially-aggravated assault on a black bus driver.

He told Wilson: “You are a dangerous young man and have shown outrageous behaviour.”