Man was glassed at wake

'EXCHANGE' AT BAR LED TO HORRIFIC EYE INJURY TO VICTIM

- By ROB KENNEDY Court reporter

Philip Longstaff

A WAKE descended into violence when one of the people attending smashed a glass into a man’s eye.

People had gathered to mark the premature passing of a loved one and emotions were running high, a court heard.

One of those attending, Philip Longstaff, had an exchange at the bar of a Northumberland pub with victim Ronnie Potts which ended with Longstaff swinging a punch at Mr Potts with one hand and swinging the glass at him with the other hand.

It caused a horrific penetrating injury to his eye which required sur gery.

Newcastle Crown Court heard it was just before 9.45pm on May 3 this year that police got a call from staff at The Coble pub in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea. Ian Cook, prosecuting, said: “There had been a wake and there had been a fight where a man had been struck with a glass.”

When police got there, both men had left, with Mr Potts having attended hospital.