POLICE have released the mugshot of a man who sparked a “disgraceful” brawl at a pub where he attacked two men and throttled a woman.
John Gilmore was jailed for 12 months for his role in the violence at the Black Lion pub in Aberaeron on March 22, whilst his son Benito Gilmore and his employee Aaron Green were both sentenced to six months.
Sentencing the trio, Judge Paul Thomas KC described their actions as “atrocious” and said the pub’s CCTV footage showed “scenes that were absolutely disgusting”.
“All three of you have pleaded guilty to a disgraceful episode of violent disorder,” he said.
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John Gilmore, Benito Gilmore and Aaron Green all pleaded guilty to violent disorder following an incident at the Black Lion pub late on March 22.
Prosecutor Ieuan Rees told Swansea Crown Court that a man had been playing pool with the trio. As they were talking in-between games, 54-year-old John Gilmore “misread the situation” and became aggressive.
Mr Rees said Gilmore threw the first punch, and the two other defendants – both aged 27 – then piled in on the victim.
As the brawl spilled out behind the bar, a second man intervened to try to help his friend against the defendants.
CCTV footage showed John Gilmore “stick the boot in” to the first victim as he was on the floor, before Green then grabbed him by his t-shirt and punched him.
The men went back in to the room with the pool table, but then Benito Gilmore began attacking the second victim again. A woman could be seen trying to separate the men, but John Gilmore grabbed her by the throat.
Mr Rees said that the first victim suffered bruises and cuts to his face, whilst his friend sustained facial injuries.
On the CCTV footage, blood could be seen coming from the wounds on the two victims' heads, as well as on Benito Gilmore’s shirt and on the floor of the room with the pool table.
Each of the defendants answered no comment to all questions in their interviews.
The trio denied a series of violence and dishonesty charges relating to the incident, but later pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of violent disorder.
Ian Ibrahim, for John Gilmore, of Ffos-y-ffin, admitted that his client had “an unenviable record of violence”, but said Gilmore had not committed any violent offences for 11 years.
“Over the past decade he has quietened down completely,” Mr Ibrahim said. “His character had entirely changed and that’s about the time his grandchildren came along.
“He overreacted to a situation. He accepts he had probably misread the situation.
“He accepts full responsibility for what happened that evening.”
Judge Thomas set out his provisional thoughts on what sentence he was considering for Green, whose given address to the court was Aberystwyth Police Station, and Benito Gilmore, of Talgarreg.
After discussing it with their clients, Hannah George, for Green, and Jon Tarrant, for Gilmore, said the defendants did not want to make any further representations.
Ms George added Green was “extremely remorseful”, which Mr Tarrant echoed on behalf of Gilmore.
Not guilty verdicts were entered on the remaining charges.
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