A publican who grabbed a woman by the throat in an “unprovoked incident” believed her drink had been spiked.

Sharon Wilkinson, 51, who runs The Belle Vue pub at Papcastle, was out in Cockermouth with her daughter and daughter’s boyfriend on Saturday, March 5.

An incident had started at the Huntsman pub on Main Street, with a “commotion” heard at the back of the pub, Workington Magistrates’ Court was told.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said the defendant’s son-in-law was escorted out of the pub and was then attempting to gain re-entry. He was seen “kicking the door with force” while a member of staff held the door shut.

A female police officer was struggling to restrain him and a woman had assisted police with the “volatile situation”.

Wilkinson assaulted the woman for the first time, as she attempted to move her away from the incident.

The defendant’s daughter and son-in-law were put into the police car. Wilkinson then approached the woman and started arguing with her.

At this point, Wilkinson put both of her hands around the victim’s throat and the woman pushed her away.

The victim told police she had been grabbed by the throat by Wilkinson.

Ms Fee said officers had already told Wilkinson to leave while they were dealing with her daughter and son-in-law.

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During interview, Wilkinson said she had drunk three pints of lager and then one shot of vodka. She said she believed her drink had been spiked when she walked off and left it to play pool.

She said the victim had grabbed her first. She stated she was ashamed of her actions and it was “completely out of character”.

Ms Fee told the court: “She not only assaults her when moved away from the incident, she grabs her by the throat in an unprovoked incident.

“She [the victim] is only doing what any decent member of the public would do - assisting officers.”

Wilkinson, of The Belle Vue, Papcastle, Cockermouth, pleaded guilty to assault by beating. A charge of being drunk and disorderly and a charge of obstructing a police officer, were withdrawn.

Jeff Smith, defending, said: “She has never encountered the courts before. She is very unlikely to encounter the courts again.

“She works in the hospitality industry. She knows the problems they have to deal with. She feels a great deal of remorse and embarrassment.

“She doesn’t believe alcohol affected her behaviour. She believes her drink was spiked.

“Her daughter was taken to the ground. I make no critiscism of the victim. She did something we hope we would all do when things are getting out of hand.

“She saw what was happening, took hold of Sharon Wilkinson and moved her away from the situation that was prevailing.

“Sharon Wilkinson, having consumed some alcohol, believing her drink was spiked, behaved in an inappropriate way.”

Wilkinson was fined £375 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £38 victim surcharge.

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