Three sentenced for violent disorder in Stevenage pub

Three men have been sentenced in relation to the violent disorder which took place in the St Nicholas Tavern in Canterbury Way on Saturday 17 September 2022.

On that date, two groups of people, who were known to each other, had been drinking in the pub for most of the day. At around 10.50pm a large fight broke out which resulted in three men receiving serious injuries and requiring hospital treatment.

Following a swift investigation by the Stevenage Local Crime Unit, nine men were arrested.

Two men have already been dealt with in an earlier trial in March 2023 and were sentenced to 21 months for their role in the disorder.

Four then pleaded guilty to violent disorder and were sentenced on Friday 11 October at Peterborough Crown Court:

• Shane Holmes, aged 20 and from Oxney Road Caravan Park in Peterborough was sentenced to ten months in prison, suspended for two years.
• Joseph Brazil, aged 19, of Parsonnage Road, North Mimms, received a two year conditional discharge.
• Christopher Smith, aged 39, from Shefford Road in Clophill, was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for two years.
• A 15-year-old boy from Shefford Road in Clophill has been dealt with out of court.

Three men pleaded not guilty to violent disorder and following a seven day trial at Peterborough Crown Court in August and were subsequently acquitted.

Investigating Officer Detective Daniel Judge said: “This was violence on a large scale which resulted in three men receiving life changing injuries. Bottles from the pub and a snooker cue were used as weapons, also endangering members of the public.

“Whilst this investigation was going through the judicial system, the tension between the two groups continued to escalate with further acts of violence, including the shooting which took place outside Stevenage police station in 2023, and for which a 51 year old man from Essendon was sentenced in July.

“This was a challenging investigation, but this kind of behaviour cannot be tolerated, and we have worked hard to bring those responsible to justice to protect the wider community.”