Doorman threatened with gun after breaking up fight in Brighton nightclub (From The Argus)

Doorman threatened with gun after breaking up fight in Brighton nightclub

4:00pm Tuesday 2nd June 2009 in News By Nigel Freedman

A doorman found himself staring down the barrel of a gun after he stepped in to stop a fight.

Steve Ellison was relaxing in the Entourage Bar after finishing work at another nightclub.

A fight broke out after a confrontation between Anthony Adlington, his mate Llewellyn Glasford and three other revellers in the bar in Middle Street, Brighton.

Clubbers screamed in terror after Adlington pulled a replica Smith and Wesson gas-powered revolver from his waistband.

Adlington pistol then whipped one of the revellers around the head and Glasford struck out at the group with his fists but did not hit anyone.

As clubbers fled fearing for their lives Mr Ellison bravely stood in front of Adlington with his arms spread wide.

He told the gunman to back off. Adlington responded by pointing the pistol straight between Mr Ellison's eyes.

Hove Crown Court was told how the 19-year-old shouted: “I will shoot you, bruv.”

He and Glasford fled from the club followed by Mr Ellison and two other doormen who all jumped into a car to continue the chase.

Rob Hall, prosecuting, said they were followed to Clarence Square, Brighton, where a resident saw the pistol being dumped in bushes in the early hours of November 1, last year.

Both men ran onto Western Road where they boarded a bus.

They were arrested by armed police who stopped the bus in Hove a short time later.

A judge yesterday praised Mr Ellison's “extreme gallantry” and said he should receive a £500 reward.

Mr Ellison was not in court to hear the judge's praise but in a statement to police he said: “I was scared for my personal safety and for the other people around me.

“I don't really know why I stayed there but I did.”

Judge Austin Issard-Davies said: “He found himself looking straight down the barrel of an extremely realistic weapon.

“He walked straight towards the gun with his arms spread out in a non-aggressive approach.

“That was an act of really exceptional gallantry and selflessness.

“He was threatened with a gun and when the person with the gun left the scene he and others pursued him.

“It was very public spirited action and I believe that it should be marked by a Sheriff's Award of £500.”

Adlington, 19, of Streatham, South London, admitted affray and having the gas-powered pistol with intent to cause fear. He was jailed for three-and-a-half years.

Glasford, also 19, of Goldstone Lane, Hove, was jailed for a year after admitting affray.

The court heard that Adlington had bought the gas-powered gun that day from a shop in The Lanes.

It did not have a gas cartridge in it when it was brandished in the night club.