4:31am Thursday 26th July 2007
By Richard Gurner
A barman was attacked by a drinker after he tried to uphold the new smoking laws at his pub.
Regulars at the Rose and Crown, in Worthing, watched in horror as the member of staff was headbutted and punched by the customer.
The drinker struck out in front of an off-duty police officer after he had been told to stop smoking at the pub in Montague Street.
One onlooker, who refused to be named, said: "He was looking for a fight and it looked as if he picked an argument over where he could and couldn't smoke and drink."
A staff member had asked the gentleman, believed to be a former marine in his mid 40s, to stop smoking in the pub's beer garden.
The garden was closed for the afternoon as there was live music at the popular pub.
The man then took his cigarette and pint out to the front of the pub where several other pub-goers were enjoying a smoke.
The same staff member followed the man and told him he was not allowed to drink in the street and would have to take his drink back in.
Instead of obeying the barman's orders the man punched him and headbutted him three times.
Another regular at the pub, who did not want to be named, said: "We couldn't believe it. There is never any trouble at this pub and as far as I know there hasn't been any trouble here since the smoking ban started.
"It does have an effect on people though telling them where they can and can't drink and smoke.
"Fortunately the injuries to the barman weren't too bad and there was an off-duty policeman standing there as well so he helped out a lot."
Sergeant Ian Kerr, of Sussex Police, said the force was appealing for witnesses to the assault, at 3.30pm on Sunday, to come forward and that they were investigating the incident.
He said: "There was an assault at the Rose and Crown pub and we do have a named suspect. We haven't spoken to the individual involved yet but we are looking to progress this to a conclusion.
"Obviously anyone who has information can come forward and contact us on 0845 6070999."
Since the smoking ban has come in there have been no reports of smokers breaking the law in Sussex with pubs across the county having mixed experiences over whether or not it has affected trade.
Over the last four weeks landlords have told The Argus drinkers have been adhering to the new rules and, early on in the ban, those who forgot and accidentally lit up were more than happy to move outside or put their cigarette out.
The legislation was introduced to improve public health but pro-smoking groups such as Forest has accused the Government of eroding people's rights.
Anyone breaking the law by lighting up could be hit with a £50 fine and if it goes to court it could rise to £200.
Businesses also face fines of up to £2,500 if they fail to enforce the ban and display the correct no smoking signs.
The violence arising at the Rose and Crown from the smoking ban echos the reaction of three men in a London club who shot a bouncer after he asked them to stop smoking.
James Oyebola, 47, was attacked in the early hours of Monday morning. The 6ft 9ins former British heavyweight boxing champion was shot in the head and leg in a covered courtyard area at the rear of Chateau 6 in Fulham Road, west London. He remains in a critical condition.
Management at the Rose and Crown refused to comment on the Sunday incident because of the ongoing police investigation.
© Copyright 2001-2010 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.theargus.co.uk