Man threatened pub barmaids with Taser at Waterfront Inn pub

Paresh Jethawa, 57, of Crossgate Road, Woodside, Dudley, had been drinking at The Waterfront Inn, at The Waterfront, in Brierley Hill, when he started using offensive language on September 8.

Staff member Reece Skinner recognised him as having been banned previously after a woman complained, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

Jethawa approached one of the barmaids and pulled out the Taser, which crackled and lit up but wasn’t used, said Mr Edward Soulsby, prosecuting.

Mr Skinner intervened and told him to put the item away, saying it was not “appropriate” but Jethawa became “irate”.

He threatened to use the weapon, which he had put away, after gesturing to the staff member to go outside with him.

Disguised

Jethawa was later ushered out of the pub, with officers then stopping him on Cochrane Road, where the weapon – disguised as a torch – was found. Jethawa admitted it was a Taser, which he had bought from China.

Mr Lennart Poulsen, defending, said Jethawa was remorseful and apologetic for his actions and had been drinking cider an hour before the incident.

Drinking had been a “demon” in Jethawa's life, which he had tried unsuccessfully to tackle, Mr Poulsen added.

Recorder James Smith said it was a “serious" case which passed the custodial threshold because of the weapon’s use in a public place. But, taking into account Jethawa's lack of previous convictions and good character, Recorder Smith suspended the sentence.

Jethawa was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, for using a prohibited weapon and using threatening behaviour. He must also undertake rehabilitation for his drinking within 12 months.