Men deny assault on pub landlord (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Men deny assault on pub landlord

THREE Cirencester men went on trial this week charged with beating up the former landlord of the Bear pub in Cirencester, Mike Pugh.

At Gloucester Crown Court, Carl Moisejevs, aged 26, of Watermoor Road, Cirencester denies assault causing actual bodily harm on Mike Pugh and affray.

His brother Ricky Moisejevs, aged 24, of Melmore Gardens, pleads not guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm on Mike Pugh, common assault on Mr Pugh's partner Serena McBride and affray.

And Jason Sampson, aged 28, of Watermoor Road, Cirencester, denies assault causing actual bodily harm on Mike Pugh and affray following the incident on April 22 last year.

Mr Pugh told the jury of his "extreme pain" when he was kicked while on the floor during the Sunday night pub brawl.

He was left with a broken nose, severe bruising around both eyes and on his arms and a cut on his head, he said.

Mr Pugh was taken first to Cirencester Hospital and then transferred to Cheltenham General Hospital where he stayed overnight.

The court heard that he was attacked after he asked Ricky Moisejevs - who was banned from the pub because of a previous incident - to leave.

Mr Pugh said: "I walked over and asked him to leave. I put my hand on his arm and said "Come on Ricky, you know you are banned, please leave.'

"Carl came over and said: 'Take your hands off my brother.' Then I was either hit or head-butted, I don't know, and fell to the floor. I think it was Carl Moisejevs.

"I was kicked repeatedly on the floor. I felt extreme pain in my face and head and in my arms as well."

Mr Pugh said that he must have suffered around ten to 12 repeated blows. Carl Moisejevs, Jason Sampson and another man - described as being of large build and known only as 'Tiny' - were arrested that night.

Because there were no accusations towards 'Tiny', he was released.

Ricky Moisejevs was arrested at his home address the next day.

The court heard that Mr Pugh, who was not working that night, had entered the pub with his partner Serena McBride to have a farewell drink with barman Peadar McKenna.

Martin Worsley, prosecuting, said the defendants claimed when they were interviewed by police that Mr Pugh had attacked them first.

The court also heard from witness Christopher Garner, who admitted he had been drinking all day before the alleged incident took place.

He told the court he had been in the Bear pub when three or four men entered after closing time.

He said: "they were walking up and down looking for someone.

"The landlord came over and started pushing one, asking him to leave.

"There was a lot of pushing and shoving and the bar man went over to help.

"It ended up outside but I could not see what happened there."

When asked by defence barrister Michael Longman, how much he had to drink, Mr Garner replied: "I would not like to say."

The trial continues.