A FORMER landlord of a Farnham pub has been jailed for six months by Guildford Crown Court, after admitting a brutal attack on "a vulnerable man with special educational needs" in an alleyway in Farnham. Stuart Manchester, 31, and the former landlord of The New Seven Stars, had earlier admitted chasing Danny Clark into an alleyway and hitting him with "what appeared to be a black truncheon". He pleaded guilty to a charge of GBH. The court heard that on June 10, 2006, Danny was standing outside the pub waiting for his friend Scott Thorogood, who was inside having a drink. Danny had previously been a glass collector at The New Seven Stars, but had been barred after a disagreement with the defendant. According to witnesses, Manchester saw Danny waiting outside and was heard to say 'I'm going to get Danny'. He then grabbed a weapon "probably a pool cue" and chased Danny into a nearby alley where he was seen standing over his victim hitting him with a stick. Two other men, Robert Smith and Ross Davidson, were then seen jostling Danny as he emerged bloodied from the alley and encouraged him to "run". Danny did run, but eventually fell over a wall where he was then struck again by both men. During the incident Danny sustained bruising to his ribs, right chin and left eye. More seriously though he also sustained a fracture to his left eye socket, however there was not enough evidence to show which of the three defendants had actually caused the fracture. The court also heard that this incident was not the first time Stuart Manchester, whose address was given as East Street, Farnham, had abused Danny. According to witnesses Danny had suffered "a campaign of harassment" from the former publican over a period of months, despite Manchester, also a former serving police officer, being told by a registered nurse of Danny's disabilities. In sentencing Judge Addison said: "The evidence was that Manchester was the ring leader and carried on the campaign. He started it by going first. Clearly the leader of this assault, you started the campaign of harassment and encouraged others to follow you." Ross Davidson, 24, of Baldreys, Farnham, who also pleaded guilty to GBH, was given a 50-week custodial sentence, suspended for two years. He was also told to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work to be completed in the next 12 months. The judge took into account his early plea of guilty as well as his attempt at the beginning of the incident to stop Manchester from chasing after Danny. Robert Smith, 21, of Abbots Cottages, Frensham, pleaded guilty to common assault. However, the judge felt that during the case other evidence came to light which showed that he had more involvement than was first realised and was 'lucky' not to be tried for GBH. Judge Addison said: "Some might say that Smith is getting off more lightly than he should." Smith was ordered to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work, which was to be completed within the next 12 months. After the sentencing, Danny Clark said: "He could have got more, but it was the best we could have hoped for. Danny's mother Kim McGregor said: "I think the judge got it right. Stuart Manchester was the ring leader and I'm happy with the sentence. "Ross, I think, was easily led and is the only one who has shown any kind of remorse for the attack. He and Danny have made up and they are good friends again." Steve Thorogood, the father of Danny's friend Scott, said: "I think the sentence was right and the judge has been very astute. "My only issue now is that I feel Stuart Manchester should go on the Farnham Pub-Watch list and be barred from every pub in Farnham. He has been found guilty of GBH with a weapon and people get barred in Farnham for a lot less than that. "Farnham will be a better place if he is not there, hopefully letting time heal the problems and letting the Pub-Watch system in Farnham resume its proper practice and do what it's there for." David Quick, landlord of Borellis in Farnham and chairman of the town's Pub-Watch, said: "Pub- Watch is aware of the situation. The matter was brought up by the police at the last Pub-Watch meeting, but because Mr Manchester had not been sentenced we left it until we heard what the outcome was. We are holding our AGM meeting on Monday, January 28, where we will probably discuss the matter more fully. "If any individual, whether a licensee or member off the public, is convicted of GBH or other violent crime, Pub-Watch takes it very seriously and it will be dealt with through the normal banning procedures as with anyone else. We can look at the bigger picture now everything is done."
