Lavenham landlord stormed into his pub brandishing baton after misinterpreting CCTV images

A landlord who stormed into his own pub after misinterpreting CCTV images has been handed a suspended prison sentence.

John Raines, 52, had been brandishing an extendable baton when he arrived at The Angel in Market Place, Lavenham on January 8.

Ipswich Crown Court heard yesterday (Wednesday, October 3) that Raines, of Langham Road, Boxted, believed that someone else at the pub had been making advances to his wife.

Raines struck one customer on the hand with the baton and another suffered a cut when a glass he was holding shattered as the weapon struck it.

The court heard that Raines had pleaded guilty to offences of affray, possession of a baton and a taser device.

Sentencing him to nine months imprisonment suspended for 12 months, Judge Rupert Overbury told Raines that he accepted the incident had been out of character and that he had acted while his judgement was affected by financial concerns.

Judge Overbury said it appeared to have been a 'moment of madness'.

Prosecutor Michael Crimp said Raines had later told police officers that he had seen CCTV images which led him to believe that a customer was 'trying it on' with his wife.

In addition to the suspended prison sentence Raines was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid community work, pay £250 compensation to two customers at the pub and £750 prosecution costs.

Matthew Gowen, appearing for Raines, said his client deeply regretted his actions and had been under financial stress at the time.