Vulgar Birmingham Drunk Threatened to Rape Pub Staff

A Birmingham man smashed up a pub and threatened to rape staff when he was ejected from the premises for being drunk and causing trouble.

Dale Hunter, 45, of Kingsdown Avenue, Great Barr, admitted two offences of possessing a bladed article, one of threatening behaviour and one of criminal damage when he appeared at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Monday, 26th September 2022.

Possession of a bladed article is an offence under section 139(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. The offence, which is triable either way, has a maximum penalty of 6 months' custody on summary conviction, 4 years' custody on conviction on indictment.

Threatening behaviour is an offence under section 4 of the Public Order Act 1986. It has a maximum penalty of 26 weeks' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction.

Criminal damage is an offence under section 1(1) of the Criminal Damage Act 1971. Criminal damage below £5,000, as in this case, is a summary offence with a maximum penalty of 3 months' custody and/or a fine at level 4.

Magistrates heard that the offences took place on the early evening of Saturday, 18th June 2022, when Hunter was in The Square Peg public house on Birmingham's Corporation Street.

Hunter, who had topped up with vodka prior to his arrival at the Wetherspoons boozer, lost his temper when asked to leave for being too drunk and arguing with another customer. He smashed windows and threatened staff.

Police were called and arrested Hunter outside the pub. A search of his clothing and possessions uncovered a lock knife and a second blade disguised as a credit card.

Ros Butler, prosecuting, said: "Staff members became aware of an incident involving this defendant. He was under the influence of alcohol and got into an argument with another customer. Bar staff declined to serve him and he was escorted to the exit.

"The defendant went outside and made comments towards one member of staff. He said: 'I'm going to rape you. You will be my sperm bank. I will rip your head off'. Five minutes later the defendant had caused damage to the glass windows, punching them with a clenched fist and causing them to smash."

Chris Stewart, mitigating, told the court that his client had previously struggled with drugs and alcohol and was taking medication for mental health problems.

Mr Stewart said: "A friend he hadn't seen for a long time asked if he wanted to go for a drink. He said it would be good for him to get out of the house.

"His anxiety was playing up so he drank alcohol as a form of social lubricant. He drank a quarter bottle of vodka on the way. The Wetherspoons was the first pub they went to. He had a couple of drinks in there.

"Alcohol doesn't mix well with his medication. He hadn't had a drink for over six months. His memory of what happened is fairly blurry."

Mr Stewart recounted his client's (fanciful) explanation that the 2 cm bladed lock knife was for various jobs and he had totally forgotten about the 7 cm bladed credit card knife.

Having considered the circumstances and totality of Hunter's offending, Magistrates were of the opinion that their sentencing powers - now up to 12 months' custody - were insufficient.

Hunter was granted bail until his next sentencing hearing at Birmingham Crown Court, which will take place on or about Monday, 24th October 2022.

What a deeply unpleasant incident, which is aggravated by the fact it took place in broad daylight when many innocent onlookers would have been milling about.