Dudley pub branded 'most dangerous in the West Midlands'

The Earl of Dudley Arms in Dudley had become a 'stronghold' for a gang and was the scene of several violent attacks including a stabbing, a licensing panel was told.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Hanson said he knew of no other pub in the West Midlands which posed more of a risk to the public.

He said he believed someone would be murdered if the pub, in Wellington Road, had been allowed to stay open.

It was shut down by police at the end of December after the latest violent incident proved to be the final straw.

Officers have been called to the pub more than 60 times during the last two years to deal with a string of attacks including an attempted murder when a man was stabbed three times.

One customer was slashed across the face leaving him with a 12cm gash and another beaten with a pool cue while a punter narrowly avoided being run over on the car park following a dispute, Dudley Council's licensing committing heard.

Police chiefs also said premises licence holder Orville Hines had often hindered investigations of incidents by being unwilling or slow to provide CCTV and statements.

DCI Hanson said the pub had a 'chaotic and violent history' and had developed such a strong association with the DSN gang, said to be linked to violent crime and the supply of class A drugs, that no steps other than the closure of the pub would suffice.

As a senior detective in West Midlands Police's violent crime unit, he said it was the first time he had needed to become involved in a licensing matter such was the seriousness of the situation.

He told the hearing: "I can think of no licensed premises within our force area which presents such a danger to the public than the Earl of Dudley.

"We have had a stabbing, a slashing, people beaten with pool cues, threatened with weapons. It is my genuine belief if these premises remain open, managed by Mr Hines, someone will end up being murdered."

A 23-year-old man was left fighting for his life in May 2014 after being stabbed as violence flared outside the Earl of Dudley Arms.

Christopher Perkins underwent emergency surgery and spent five days in hospital after being knifed outside the pub.

He suffered a collapsed lung, a cut to his other lung and the sack surrounding his heart was cut.

And Councillor Donella Russell, chairman of the licensing committee, said the risk of a death on the premises was one it was not prepared to take.

Residents and councillors previously welcomed the closure of the pub following the outbreak of violence.

Dudley's Councillor Khurshid Ahmed at the time said: "It is quite shocking people have been put at such risk and as a ward councillor, my main concern is the protection of their health and safety."

A nearby business owner, who did not wish to be named, said: "It's been a big problem for everyone in this area and I feel the safety of local people has been put at risk. It's a relief that this notice has been served."

The pub sort to close the pub initially after an incident where a man was attacked late last year.

A man was badly beaten during an attack during December, which proved to be the final straw for the authorities.

Police said the owners had failed to protect customers by 'allowing members local gangs to frequent the premises' when they pushed for the initial closure.