Hammer-wielding father 'scared the life' out of bar staff in Northampton pub in bid to find who beat up his son

"He continued to be irate and said 'I'm going to smash your heads up', and threatened to smash the bar"
A man burst into the Squirrels Inn in Duston and threatened staff and customers with a hammer. He believed someone there had beaten up his son.A man burst into the Squirrels Inn in Duston and threatened staff and customers with a hammer. He believed someone there had beaten up his son.
A man burst into the Squirrels Inn in Duston and threatened staff and customers with a hammer. He believed someone there had beaten up his son.

A father burst into a Northampton pub brandishing a hammer and threatened to 'smash skulls in' while trying to find who had assaulted his son.

Mark Snowden, of Bants Lane, was infuriated when his son came home badly hurt after walking home from the Squirrel's Inn in Duston and was jumped by a group of men.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But rather than call the police, the 50-year-old - who was drunk at the time - seized a hammer and marched to the pub to try and find his son's attackers himself.

But no one at the Squirrels had anything to do with it.

Prosecutor Victoria Rose told Northampton Crown Court yesterday (February 19): "Mr Snowden appeared at the pub brandishing a hammer and waving it around.

"He ranted it was someone at the pub... He continued to be irate and said 'I'm going to smash your heads up', and threatened to smash the bar."

The prosecutor also praised a female member of staff who bore the brunt of Snowden's shouting and threats, and continued to talk him down while ushering other staff and customers away from the scene.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ms Rose said: "Your honour might think she acted with considerable character despite how terrifying it was. She was in fear she would be hit with the hammer. She describes how it was inches from her face at times."

Staff were able to talk Snowden into calming down and handing over the hammer before police arrived.

His defence barrister, Mr Laban Leake, told the court, the 50-year-old father was "sincerely remorseful" and was dealing with difficult personal circumstances at the time. He has also reportedly abstained from alcohol since the incident.

Recorder Mr Patrick Upward told Snowden: "Whatever reason you had for going down there, you frightened the life out of that barmaid."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He was handed a six-month prison sentence suspended for two years, and was ordered to pay £500 in compensation to the female member of staff.

The court did not hear if any action has been taken in respect of Snowden's son being attacked on his walk home.