A LANDLORD has pleaded guilty to releasing CS spray when a brawl broke out inside his pub.
James Murphy, 32, of Seacombe Drive in Great Sutton, admitted the offence when he appeared at Chester, Ellesmere Port and Neston Magistrates Court today (Wednesday, March 17).
The ‘large scale disturbance’ involving two groups of males happened inside the Straw Hat pub close to midnight on December 13 last year.
Prosecuting, Rob Youds said Mr Murphy had gone upstairs to get his mobile phone in order to call the police, and when he returned one male was on the floor being kicked and punched by six men.
It was it as this point that the father-of-two released the spray, dispersing the two groups.
Mr Murphy was in possession of the CS spray having found it in a hedge outside the pub back in the summer of 2008.
Mr Youds said the defendant told the police: “I didn’t know it was illegal. I found it in a hedge and kept it for self-defence.”
Defending, James Bagby said Mr Murphy had kept hold of the spray due to the pub being robbed in April 2008 by a gang armed with a machete and meat cleavers. They escaped with about £10,000.
He said Mr Murphy did not know CS spray was illegal, although he admitted that ‘ignorance is no defence’.
Mr Bagby added: “He was trying to protect somebody who was the victim of an attack.
“He doesn’t spray it at them but above their heads. This is a significant difference.”
Mr Murphy will be sentenced at Chester Crown Court at date yet to be set. He was granted unconditional bail.
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