A COCKTAIL bar brawl which began as a "cat fight" between two women, escalated so violently it was likened to World War Three by an Oxford judge.

Sentencing the four men and two women over the massed brawl at The Mad Hatter, Iffley Road, Judge Michael Gledhill QC likened the family’s behaviour to animals.

But he spared all six prison sentences, citing the three-and-a-half year delay in the case coming before him at Oxford Crown Court.

The court heard the defendants had been drinking at quirky Oxford haunt The Mad Hatter on February 24, 2018.

Elizabeth Martin, 32, attacked another woman at the bar. Others in her party, which included George, Hamish and Louise Martin, Ricky Barrett and Paul Anderson, went to her aid.

CCTV showed the group briefly leave the bar then barge their way back in to the venue. During the disorder, George Martin, 27, and Ricky Barrett, 39, could be seen throwing glasses. Paul Anderson, 39, tried to break up the melee but also threw three punches of his own.

The manager of the bar estimated the establishment had lost around £2,900 in damage and lost custom.

Oxford Mail: The Mad Hatter
29/07/2021
Picture by Ed Nix

The Mad Hatter, Iffley Road Picture: ED NIX

 

Sentencing the six, Judge Gledhill said: “On February 24, 2018, so three-and-a-half years ago, a large number of people were enjoying an evening at the Mad Hatter public house in the Iffley Road.

“There was, obviously, a calm and pleasant atmosphere, people were enjoying themselves.

“These six defendants arrived later in the evening and at some stage there was a confrontation between Elizabeth Martin and another female in the public house.

“What that was all about nobody has any idea and it doesn’t very much matter but it was a cat fight and those with Elizabeth Martin decided to intervene and it wasn’t long before almost a third world war broke out in that public house, with fists flying, feet kicking, people being pushed and shoved.

“But even more seriously objects being thrown, including glasses and people were injured with glasses and other objects. Certainly, nobody gravely injured or worse, which could so easily have happened.”

The judge added: “What it was all about goodness only knows and why it was that you six, who had gone out to enjoy the birthday of I think Hamish Martin, ended up behaving like animals I have no idea, save that it is perfectly obvious that all six of you were grossly under the influence of alcohol. But for alcohol this fracas would never have happened.”

He said the message needed to go out from the courts that people drinking in pubs in Oxford and the wider county ‘will not behave in this way’ – describing it as intolerable.

Oxford Mail: Hamish (left) and George Martin at Oxford Crown Court

Hamish (left) and George Martin at Oxford Crown Court

The defendants were said to be remorseful, with their lawyers raising the time it had taken for the matter to reach court.

Sentences

George Martin, of Abingdon Road, Oxford, admitted violent disorder. He received 18 months suspended for two years and must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and a thinking skills programme and pay £1,000 in costs and compensation.

Ricky Barrett, of Holland Place, Headington, pleaded guilty to violent disorder. He must do 15 rehabilitation days and pay £1,000 in costs and compensation.

Hamish Martin, of Ringwood Road, Risinghurst, admitted violent disorder. He received 16 months suspended for two years with the thinking skills programme and 15 rehabilitation activity sessions. He must pay £1,000 in costs and compensation.

Elizabeth Martin, of Barton Field Road, Oxford, and Louise Martin, of Abingdon Road, Oxford, each received 10 months’ imprisonment suspended for two years after pleading guilty to violent disorder. Elizabeth must attend the ‘making amends’ programme and Louise was ordered to complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and an alcohol treatment programme. Both must pay £200 in costs and compensation.

Paul Anderson, of Abingdon Road, Oxford, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of battery. He was fined £500 and must pay £500 in costs and compensation.

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