‘Sustained’ pub terror from man with blade
Blood ‘spat at police officer’
A CRAZED man with a blade unleashed ‘sustained’ terror on a pub where he lashed out at those inside and smashed windows after being chased outside by an angry mob, before licking blood from his hand and spitting at a police officer.
Unhinged Spencer Saunders, 26, was jailed after sparking riotous scenes at Drayton pub the Manor House in Court Lane.
The convicted Paulsgrove drug dealer, of Camcross Close, turned nasty after suspicions from staff he was smoking cannabis in the rear garden around 9.30pm on August 14, Portsmouth Crown Court heard.
Despite warnings from the landlord, Saunders was then embroiled in an altercation outside before he was asked to leave – triggering chaos.
After having his drink removed by the landlord, Saunders said: ‘If you don’t give me it back I will smash your windows.’
He then goaded the landlord amid concerns he had drugs. ‘He pulled out a powder and put it in his mouth and started screaming,’ prosecutor Matthew Lawson said.
Despite repeatedly refusing to leave the pub, staff were able to escort him from the rear garden through the pub when he suddenly turned violenttowardsamalepunter who was having a drink with a lady.
‘(Saunders) ended up fighting with him. He was punching the male customer with the (bladed) weapon in his hand,’ Mr Lawson said.
‘Other customers got involved and the defendant ran out the front door. The defendant then attacks the front door and causes window panes to shatter before he smeared blood from his hand on the window surface.’
Police were called to the scene and in CCTV shown to the court tried to calm Saunders outside the front of the pub as he shouted abuse towards the landlord and staff.
Saunders’ ‘agitated’ behaviour nosedived further as an officer discovered the bladed weapon on him before arresting him. ‘He then licked blood from his bleeding hand and spat towards the face of the officer,’ Mr Lawson said.
Barry McElduff, defending, said Saunders’ odd behaviour was not due to drug-taking but was because he had ‘stupidly’ stopped taking his anti-depressant medication.
Saunders, who was guilty of possessing a weapon, assaulting an emergency worker, threatening behaviour, criminal damage and breaching a suspended sentence, was jailed for 18 months.