6:31PM, Fri Sep 21, 2012

Pub Landlord Pulled Gun On Drinkers Who Ordered Beer In Welsh

By James Marley Location: Wales

A pub landlord from Gateshead pulled a gun on drinkers who ordered beer in Welsh.

The row broke out at the Royal Oak pub Gareth Sale, 26, from Dunston, Gateshead, runs in Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd.

Problems began when landlady Sheridan Graham insisted people order in English because she could not understand Welsh.

The couple moved to Wales last summer the court heard.

Drinkers left but began kicking the doors and banging on windows outside.

Sale went upstairs and returned with an airgun scaring customers still inside, a court was told.

Customer Alys Owen told the jury via a video link from Glasgow: "Someone tried to order a drink in Welsh and the landlady was telling them not to speak Welsh at the bar. She was quite aggressive and quite loud. Locals were getting quite angry and starting to shout."

Alys claimed she freaked out after seeing Sale with an air rifle under his arm.

Judge Peter Heywood said: “He accepts he went upstairs and got the air gun, somewhat foolishly, and no doubt affected by drink, because there was a baying mob kicking and banging at the door."

Sale admitted possessing a firearm in a public place. He denied possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. He was given a 32-week suspended jail sentence.