Landlady attacked pub barman during alcohol-fuelled bust-up

A pub landlady who threatened one of her bar staff with a knife and smashed a wine bottle over his head has been spared jail by a judge in Preston.

- by Matthew Calderbank

Helen Hardy, who was running the Lamplighter public house in Chorley two years ago, pleaded guilty to two violent offences against barman Cameron Mitchell during an alcohol-fuelled fight when they were alone in the pub after hours.

CCTV pictures of the confrontation in March 2023 showed the pair grappling on the floor behind the bar and later Mr Mitchell bleeding badly from a head wound caused by Hardy.