Village pub licence suspended after unprovoked assault

A Cockfield pub’s licence has been suspended after a man suffered life-changing injuries in what police described as a “sustained, violent and entirely unprovoked” assault.

Durham County Council’s licensing sub-committee met last week to consider the premises licence for the King’s Head following the incident on Saturday, July 25.

Paramedics were called to the pub after reports of a serious assault at around 5.45pm. 

The hearing at County Hall was told the victim was repeatedly pushed before being struck several times to the head and face with a drinking glass.

He suffered a broken nose, a fractured jaw in two places, a ruptured tendon in his hand and required reconstructive surgery.

Durham Police confirmed that a suspect had been identified and arrest attempts were ongoing.

Licensing Sgt Caroline Dickenson told councillors the attack was more serious because it happened in front of the victim’s young son.

She said: “The child witnessed his father being subjected to the sustained, violent attack during which he saw his dad receive facial injuries.

“Such was the severity of the attack that the child attempted to intervene by using a pool cue in an effort to protect his father.”

Police described the assault as “sustained, violent and entirely unprovoked”.

The licensing hearing was convened to consider whether interim steps were needed regarding the pub’s premises licence while the police investigation continues.

Committee members voted to suspend the premises licence with immediate effect.

The suspension remains in place pending a full hearing.