logo
Knifeman threatened to cut off victim's face after pub car park row

Knifeman threatened to cut off victim's face after pub car park row

A knifeman threatened to cut a man's face off in a North Wales pub. Martin Pritchard targeted his victim after an incident in a car park involving Pritchard's sister.
A judge today jailed Pritchard, 43, of Scott Close, Marchwiel, for 16 months for threatening a person with a knife in a public place. Caernarfon Crown Court heard the offence took place at The Black Lion Inn in Bersham, Wrexham on July 13 last year.
Prosecutor Ryan Rothwell said the complainant Mark Robertson heard a commotion outside the Black Lion Inn at 8pm. He saw a Ford Kuga - with the driver who appeared to be intoxicated - and a stationary Range Rover in the car park. You can sign up for all the latest court stories here
The keys were taken off the Kuga's female driver. Twenty minutes later the defendant Pritchard came into the pub and demanded the keys back, the court heard.
The Kuga driver was Pritchard's sister. Mr Robertson asked Pritchard to leave but Pritchard initially refused.
As he eventually left, Pritchard took out a knife and told Mr Robertson: "If you speak to me like that (again) I'll cut your f****** face off." He also said he would "slice" him, said the prosecutor Mr Rothwell.
Police were called and officers found a Stanley knife believed to have belonged to Pritchard. Pritchard himself was arrested the following day.
Richard Edwards, defending, said the defendant had been working at a nearby site so that was why he had the knife. He added: "The defendant had been trying to help his sister out when she bumped into another car in the car park.
"That was nothing to do with the defendant but he was trying to resolve (it). He did feel a little aggrieved at the way he perceived the (pub) staff were treating him."
But Mr Edwards accepted that Pritchard "did not deal with the situation properly". The court heard the father-of-three is a self-employed builder with nine full-time staff, 20 part-time staff and four apprentices.
District Judge Gwyn Jones said whether to sent the defendant to jail immediately or not was a finely-balanced exercise. He has family and work responsibilities but the offence happened in a pub with children present and he has a poor record.
Jailing him he said he will probably serve 40 per cent or 50 per cent of the sentence. He also made a restraining order prohibiting him from contacting Mr Robertson and from entering the Black Lion for five years.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Hackney shooting: 'Gang member ordered pina coladas while scoping out restaurant'
Hackney shooting: 'Gang member ordered pina coladas while scoping out restaurant'

Daily Mirror

time5 hours ago

  • Daily Mirror

Hackney shooting: 'Gang member ordered pina coladas while scoping out restaurant'

The alleged assassination plot in Dalston, east London, led to a nine-year-old girl being shot in the head while she dined at a restaurant with her family A suspected gang member ordered three pina coladas while scoping out a "planned assassination" at a Turkish restaurant, a court heard. A nine-year-old girl who was dining with her family was shot in the head by a stray bullet aimed at three men outside the building. She survived, but jurors heard how she now faces "physical and cognitive difficulties throughout her life" after the bullet became lodged in her brain. The gunman fled on a Ducati Monster motorbike and has not yet been identified, but 33-year-old Javon Riley stands accused of four counts of attempted murder linked to the attack in Dalston, Hackney on May 29 last year. Mustafa Kiziltan, Kenan Aydogdu and Nasser Ali, who were seated with others at a pavement table outside the busy restaurant, were also left with bullet wounds. Prosecutors claim Riley carried out surveillance ahead of the hit, played a role in handling the weapon and acted as the escape driver. Prosecutor James Mulholland, KC, described the shooting as a "planned assassination" in a long running rivalry between two gangs; the Tottenham Turks and the Hackney Turks. Giving evidence at the Old Bailey, DC Martha Bourne told the jury Riley was using five different phones, including one "clean" phone to contact his family. He lived with his partner at an address in Tottenham but also rented a flat in Farnborough, Hampshire. The Ducati used in the shooting was stolen in November 2021 from Wentworth Hill, Wembley, and later fitted with a false number plate, jurors were told. DC Bourne described it as a "loud, powerful" motorbike. Jurors were also shown images of a burnt out Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan Juke found after the shooting. The two cars were reported stolen on May 17, 2024, and were also fitted with false plates. CCTV footage captured the stolen bike moving through Hackney on May 2, the court heard. Four days later, Riley is alleged to have carried out reconnaissance on Evin restaurant in a Range Rover, driving past on four separate occasions, the court heard. DC Bourne said Riley's account was used at a shop opposite the restaurant on that date. She said he also went to German Kraft Beer opposite the restaurant and purchased a hot chocolate with coconut milk, three pina coladas, a Bacardi and an apple juice for £46.85. His table was at the front window of the bar giving a view of Evin restaurant. Riley, of Green Street, Enfield, denies four counts of attempted murder and an alternative charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent relating to the girl. The trial continues.

Man almost lost his leg after driver's 'momentary lapse of concentration'
Man almost lost his leg after driver's 'momentary lapse of concentration'

North Wales Live

time10 hours ago

  • North Wales Live

Man almost lost his leg after driver's 'momentary lapse of concentration'

A biker almost lost his leg after being struck by a car. Marc Rostron was left with serious injuries and faced having his leg amputated after the motorbike he was riding was struck by a car being driven by Harrison Lavin. A court heard a "momentary lapse of concentration" by Lavin led to the collision taking place. Lavin failed to see Mr Rostron when he pulled out of a road, joining Llandudno Road, Rhos on Seas, on May 26, 2023 at about 9.20pm. The conditions were clear and dry. The Citreon DS3 driven by Lavin, who was 18-years-old at the time, struck Mr Rostron's motorcycle, who was travelling along Llandudno Road at between 25-30mph, with his lights on, knocking him off the bike. Lavin admitted causing serious injuries by careless driving. Lavin, now aged 20, of Parc Castell, Llandudno Junction, did what he could at the scene, Caernarfon Crown Court heard, but Mr Rostron was left badly injured. Jade Tufail, prosecuting, said the victim was initially taken to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd on a spinal board, before being transferred to the Royal Stoke University Hospital. Mr Rostron had suffered open fractures to his leg, ankle and foot, as well as a "complete division of his achilles tendon", she said. He was in hospital for three months, needing four operations and had faced the prospect of his leg being amputated due to a lack of healing. However in March this year, it was confirmed that was not required. He also suffered frequent infections. A victim impact statement from Mr Rostron said he was still suffering from the injuries, which had weakened his right leg and left him unable to walk more than a couple of hundred metres, meaning his parents had to do his shopping, with a carer coming in once a week to help. It had also increased his mental health problems, due to being unable to get out and ride his motorbike like he used to, leading to depression and anxiety. The court heard Lavin had no previous convictions and was of positive good character. Richard Dawson, defending, said the defendant had entered an early guilty plea, had fully co-operated with the investigation, was genuinely remorseful, had no other endorsements on his licence and was in full time employment and also volunteered to help youngsters at a local boxing gym. "It was an out of character incident, borne out of inexperience," said Mr Dawson. Judge Nicola Jones said the collision had caused Mr Rostron serious injuries to his leg, ankle and foot, after an unsafe manoeuvre, following a "momentary lapse of concentration" by Lavin. "It was inexperience, rather than irresponsibility, that caused the collision," she said. Judge Jones sentenced Lavin to 40 hours unpaid work and disqualified him from driving for 12 months - with no extended retest. He was also ordered to pay costs of £150.

Police hunt runaway driver as Range Rover crashes on West Lothian street
Police hunt runaway driver as Range Rover crashes on West Lothian street

Daily Record

timea day ago

  • Daily Record

Police hunt runaway driver as Range Rover crashes on West Lothian street

A large police presence was spotted on Bathgate's Marjoribanks Street around 10pm on Monday, July 21, following reports of a single-vehicle crash. Police are hunting the occupants of a Range Rover after it crashed on a quiet West Lothian street. ‌ A large police presence was spotted on Bathgate's Marjoribanks Street around 10pm on Monday, July 21, following reports of a single-vehicle crash. ‌ An image from the scene shows an old silver Range Rover with its lights still on stopped at the side of the road. At least four officers can be seen looking inside the vehicle. ‌ A number of items were also left scattered across the road with the vehicle appearing to have suffered minor damage. Police confirmed the occupants of the vehicle fled the scene before officers arrived and inquiries are ongoing to find them. ‌ A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Around 10pm on Monday, 21 July, 2025, we were made aware of a single vehicle crash on Marjoribanks Street in Bathgate. 'Officers attended however the occupants of the vehicle had left the scene. Enquiries are ongoing to trace them.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store