Pub faces threat to its licence after brawl

A notorious Smethwick pub was today set for a review of its licence after a brawl. The London Apprentice has a history of violence, weapons and drug taking.

The Windmill Lane pub was forced to install metal detectors amid fears about guns and knives, and in 2008 a three-year-old boy found a loaded gun that had been dropped by a customer and fired it through a car window.

West Midlands Police yesterday called for the emergency review, which are only granted in the most serious of cases and arranged in 48 hours.

Officers demanded the hearing following a serious brawl between two men at the pub at 1.30am on Sunday. The two men, from Birmingham and aged 45 and 38, suffered serious head injuries in the fight and were arrested.

When officers arrived in the early hours, a gang of more than 40 people was still at the pub.

West Midlands Police said drinks were served at the pub into the early hours and people were known to arrive in taxis as late as 5am.

The emergency hearing was due to take place at Sandwell Council House at 2.30pm today.

The pub is owned by Harold McKenzie. He said" "We have had one fight in a year. Some pubs have three, four or five fights a week."