Soccer boss in 'fisticuffs' at pub

A SOCCER boss and his son have both kept their freedom after being involved in a pub fracas in which several people were attacked – including them.

Andrew Baker (41), manager of Burnley United, and Michael Baker (24) had both been arrested after the trouble at the Prairie, in Burnley, on July 1st last year.

Michael Baker had hit a man with a baseball bat and Andrew Baker had made threats after having both been assaulted.

Andrew Baker admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour. The defendant, of Cuerdale Street, Burnley, was given a 12-month conditional discharge with £150 costs. He had no previous convictions.

Michael Baker, of the same address, admnitted affray. The defendant, who had previous convictions for battery and threatening behaviour, received a nine-month prison term, suspended for two years, with 80 hours unpaid work, two years supervision and £300 costs.

Mr Nigel Booth (prosecuting) told the court that on the afternoon of the fracas, an international football match had been on television.

Mr Peter Goldsborough was at the pub with his family and his son had had a disagreement with some other people. Mr Goldsborough took hold of a woman by the throat and pushed her out of the building. That led to about 15 people getting involved in anincident.

Mr Booth said Mr Goldsborough approached Michael Baker and punched him in the head. Mr Goldsborough's son and Baker had become involved in an incident together and Mr Goldsborough feared for his son's safety. He also punched Andrew Baker. By 8-30 p.m. Mr Goldsborough, who had had about eight pints of lager, was told by his wife, Sharon, that about 17 men were looking for him. He was approached by the Bakers and Michael Baker hit him with a baseball bat.

The prosecutor said Andrew Baker shouted threats to Mr Goldsborough, but did nothing further. Mr Goldsborough suffered cuts to his head and had to have stitches. Mr Booth told the court that Mr Goldsborough had assaulted three people, including the two defendants. He could have been prosecuted had a complaint been made. Mr Goldsborough did not want either of the defendants to go to prison for what he described as "just fisticuffs".