** Warning: This post contains a graphic image **
A landlord was left covered in blood after violence broke out in a York pub last night (Saturday).
Tim Kent had to go to hospital after being set upon by a group of drinkers he was trying to eject from The Victoria Hotel on Heslington Road.
Windows were also broken in what Tim described as an “extremely rare incident” of violence.
It began when a group came into the pub. One man who had his face covered started shouting at a group of women.
Tim’s partner Sarah Bogg, who was trying to eject the troublemakers, called him to the pub toilets.
Tim said: “When I went in I was confronted not by one but then a second who came out of the stalls with his T-shirt over his head covering his face.
“And then a third appeared from a second stall. Things escalated and even lasses came in and started.
“I got them to the outside door eventually, but I got thumped and so did my partner.
“Then two others came in and started kicking and punching me. We got them out of the pub but then they proceeded to throw cans of beer at windows, smashing seven or eight panes.
“One was over two old regulars covering them in glass.”
In a post on Facebook, Tim said: “Can we apologise to any patrons in last night who witnessed the incident and a special call out to our two avid regulars Bob and Dave who, despite the ruckus and enduring windows being broken above them, still managed to finish their Guinness.”
Tim had to go to hospital to have his wounds treated.
He said he’d never seen any of those responsible for the violence before. Police have CCTV footage and scenes of crime officers have been gathering evidence at the pub this morning.
The Victoria is due to reopen at 2pm as normal today.
On his Facebook post, Tim said: “This is an extremely rare incident for the Vic and hopefully this has not put the parents and potential freshers off from choosing York University for their studies as it is a great place and lovely city.
“Abuse and violence towards my staff, customers and myself will not be tolerated under any circumstance.”