Raging publican's partner rammed customer's car into Skoda dealership

Blackburn magistrates heard Shaun Anthony Maher drove his car into the other vehicle, shunting it through a wall and into the car dealership next door.

Shaun Anthony Maher, 34, of The Spinning Mill, Burnley Road, Colne, pleaded guilty to criminal damage to a car belonging to John McLauchlan, dangerous driving on the car park of the Spinning Mill and assaulting Lisa Maher.

He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with six months' alcohol treatment, fined £100 and ordered to pay £85 costs and £90 victim surcharge. He was banned from driving for 12 months.

Alex Mann, prosecuting, said the assault was on the basis that Maher had made his partner fearful that she was going to be assaulted and not as a result of any physical contact.

She said the incident happened on Saturday when Lisa Maher, who was manager of the Spinning Mill, had been working in the pub. The defendant was upstairs looking after their children but kept coming down for a drink.

“This led to an argument and started shouting, telling everyone to leave the pub and then said he was going to “leather” her,” said Mrs Mann. “He took his top off and threw it at her before leaving the pub.”

She said Miss Maher then heard banging from the car park and went outside.

“He had crashed his car into a parked car, shunting that through a wall and into the Skoda dealership next door,” said Mrs Mann.

Nick Dearing, defending, said “99 times out of 100” his client was a decent hard working man.

“His partner has taken on this pub and he has taken on the role of looking after the children more,” said Mr Dearing.

“He feels everything has got on top of them. Lisa is more stressed as a result of running the pub and they are finding it difficult to maintain their normally friendly relationship.

“They are due to get married in July and he wants to be a good husband and father.”

Mr Dearing said arrangements had already been made to pay for the damage his client had caused.