Two men involved in a violent brawl at a Black Country pub have avoided jail despite terrifying children and families. Ion Mihai, 42, and Baceanu Titi, 25, were captured on CCTV during the fracas at the Dog and Partridge on Brierley Hill's High Street last June. Titi was seen ramming the beer garden gate with a large plank of wood whilst Mihai struck punters with a training belt.
The disorder erupted in front of frightened young children and innocent bystanders, forcing police to cordon off the High Street. A woman suffered cuts to her arm from shards of broken glass, while two other men were injured during the ordeal.
Provocation Claimed
The court heard the defendants had suffered racial abuse before the incident, with defence lawyers saying there were references to racist language and gypsies, and that they should return to where they came from. However, Judge Hobson told the pair: No kind of provocation can justify what you two and your co-defendant did.
Witness Account
A witness described the terrifying scene, stating: They had completely lost control. I think they would have inflicted serious injury if the gate wouldn't have been locked.
Sentencing
Both defendants, who required Romanian interpreters, pleaded guilty to affray at Wolverhampton Crown Court. They were each handed 18-month prison sentences, suspended for 18 months, along with 150 hours of unpaid work and rehabilitation requirements. A third defendant, Sorinel Mihai, 37, remains wanted on a warrant after failing to appear for sentencing.
