Thug smashed up Wolverhampton pub with 12-inch machete
A thug who smashed a pub's windows and door with a machete while people hid inside has been given a suspended sentence.
Patrick Doherty retrieved the hidden weapon after being kicked out of a different pub in Wolverhampton and followed a group of people who had confronted him, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.
They ended up outside the Giffard Arms in the city centre and there was another confrontation in which he produced the machete with a 12-inch blade.
The group managed to get inside the pub, even though it was the early hours of the morning, but Doherty began hitting out at the door and windows.
Doherty, aged 20, of Banstead Close, All Saints, Wolverhampton, who had been in custody since December 17, was given a nine-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months.
He was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and attend rehabilitation sessions for 20 days after admitting a charge of affray.
The court heard how Murphy had gone to the White Hart pub on Worcester Street with a friend on May 15.
Miss Joanne Baker, prosecuting, said: "They were drunk and generally making a nuisance of themselves. They were asked to leave but ended up hanging around until 3.30am the following morning.
"They were approached and there was a non-aggressive discussion but that did not last long."
Miss Baker said after words were exchanged the group left but was followed and confronted by Doherty and his friend, who was cautioned by police for his involvement.
They ended up outside the Giffard Arms pub when Doherty produced a machete with 12-inch blade.
The court heard Doherty had previously stashed the knife because he was worried about having a run in with different group of people.
Miss Baker said: "He began waving the machete around while shouting threats.
"The group managed to get inside the pub. He started smashing the pub door and windows with the machete.
"Glass shattered and obviously people were frightened so the police were called."
Mr Jasvir Mann, defending, said Doherty, who had five previous convictions dating back to 2012, had had a troubled upbringing.
Judge James Burbidge, sentencing, said he hoped Doherty's time in prison had served as a 'short, sharp, shock'.
