Resident’s fear after attack on man in pub

A NEIGHBOUR has spoken of her concern about an assault in a pub after nearby residents had opposed an extension to its licensing hours.

Anne Filkin, who lives in East Street, Saffron Walden believed the 12.30am Sunday attack on a 24-year-old Norfolk man in the Queen Elizabeth in Fairycroft Road might not have happened if the application had been refused.

He suffered cuts and grazes when he was hit on the head by a glass thrown by another customer.

She said: "Well, it would concern me."

But she felt the licensing changes had not made the problems with anti-social behaviour any worse because there were fewer people hanging around outside after closing time.

"I just have not seen so many people hanging about outside as there used to be so that is an improvement."

She was among a number of residents living in Fairycroft Road and East Street who had opposed the pub's licensing application.

Uttlesford District Council licensing committee decided to allow the pub to open until midnight in the week and 12.30am on Saturdays.

Most of those opposed to the new licence were worried there would be an increase in noise and late night violence.

Myra Stokeley, joint licensee of the pub with Cindy and Debbie Hare, believed the victim and another man were arguing over a girl when tempers flared and the glass was thrown.

She acknowledged the Queen Elizabeth had experienced drink-related problems in the past, but said Saturday's assault was the first serious incident since she took over 18 months ago.

The other man has been barred from the pub.

"I am not going to tolerate anything like that in the pub so anyone causing problems like that will be barred," she said.

"This is the first incident we have had in the pub and I have dealt with it to the best of my ability and he has been barred," Myra said.

Sgt Paul Glasgow, of Saffron Walden police, said investigations were on-going.