'Gay bar' abuse youth is fined

Lee Michael Cain, 21, was abusive, refused to leave with his three companions, including his father, and one of the group claimed they did not get served because they were not homosexuals, the court was told.

Cain, of Lanark Street, Burnley, was fined £60 with £55 costs, after admitting threatening, insulting or abusive words or behaviour.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, told the court the Garden Bar was a gay bar, but most of the time customers were 'mixed.' The licensee was told by his staff that they had refused to serve a group of four men who were being abusive.

The four were told they would not be served and were asked to leave and one of them claimed it was because they were not 'queers.' The group was asked to leave a second time and, at this point, most of the trouble was being caused by Cain, who was abusive. Mr Robinson said the others in Cain's group decided it was time to go and tried to persuade him to do likewise, but he was still being offensive. He was still in the bar when police arrived and told them he had only wanted a drink and that his uncle was queer as well. The licensee of the Garden Bar was insulted and distressed by Cain's behaviour.

Trevor Grice, defending, said Cain was with his father who worked away from home for long periods of time and had insisted the defendant join him and his friends for a drink. Cain was not drunk and the others in the party had had far more alcohol than he.

The three he was with became abusive towards the barman and the defendant tried to calm them down. He was not party to the derogatory remarks.

Mr Grice said the other three were persuaded to leave the premises, but Cain said that all he wanted was a drink and pointed out he had an uncle who was of a similar persuasion. He accepted he sat on a stool and did not leave and used vulgar expletives at the police.

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