Bar brawl ended in hammer attack

5:50pm Thursday 28th August 2008

A FIGHT which started in a pub in Devizes and involved nearly 20 people at its height, ended in a suspected revenge hammer attack on a man in Market Lavington.

Police said the fight began in The Silk Mercer in St John’s Street at 11.45pm on Friday and involved three men in the toilet.

Door staff ejected those fighting and the police were informed.

But the fighting continued in the street and just after midnight the police were called after a report of two groups of men fighting near the Four Seasons pub in High Street.

No arrests were made as those involved made no complaints, and the injuries sustained were described as minor cuts and bruises.

On Saturday evening a 29-year-old man was hit over the head with a hammer in Rochelle Court, Market Lavington. He was treated at the Royal United Hospital, Bath, for a cut to his head and later discharged.

A man was later arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm.

Police said the hammer attack was connected with the disorder which started in the Wetherspoon pub, and on Sunday they arrested three men on suspicion of affray.

Sgt Ian Thomas of Devizes Police defended the decision not to arrest anyone at the time of the original fight outside the Four Seasons pub.

He said: “There was nothing wrong with how it was dealt with on Friday night. All parties were very drunk and there were no thoughts of retaliation.

“No-one would tell us what happened and there were no complaints from anybody.

“But after the hammer attack it was important to ensure there would be no further instances of disorder or retribution involved with the events of Friday night.”

Inspector Dean Knight of Devizes police said: “The Wetherspoon staff dealt with the incident impeccably and what resulted is not a reflection on them.”

Devizes’ Pubwatch chairman Andrew MacLachlan said: “Wetherspoon and the police dealt with the incident appropriately.”

Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon, said: “We wish to run a pub in Devizes that is good for the town in all ways, including as a place for people to go to eat and drink safely.”

A 39-year-old man from Devizes, has been charged with unlawful wounding and criminal damage.

A 34-year-old man and a 29-year-old man, both from Devizes, have been charged with threatening behaviour and have been bailed to appear at Chippenham Magistrates Court on September 11.