Mistaken identity led to pub confrontation

Drinker was innocent of 'unsavoury activities'

A MAN who suspected a fellow drinker of “unsavoury activities” snatched off his glasses and stamped on them.

But it was all a case of mistaken identity, Newbury magistrates heard – and Greg Paul Filmer had intimidated an innocent stranger.

Helen Waite, prosecuting on Thursday, April 7, said the aggrieved, Charles Blandy, was in the smoking area of The Hatchet pub in Newbury town centre when the incident happened.

She added: “The defendant approached Mr Blandy’s table and accused him, wrongly, of some unsavoury activities. He then took Mr Blandy’s glasses from his face, threw them on the floor and stamped on them.”

In interview, 38-year-old Mr Filmer, of Westfield Road, Thatcham, told police he thought Mr Blandy was someone else and accepted he had acted in the way described, the court heard.

Mr Filmer admitted causing £30 worth of criminal damage on March 19. He has previous convictions, magistrates were told.

Simon Hammudi, defending, said: “He knows he did something very stupid. His last conviction was eight years ago.

“There was no physical violence involved and he didn’t touch the aggrieved. He is very sorry and he has already told his employer about the incident.”

Mr Filmer, a father of four, had written to Mr Blandy, apologising for his behaviour.

Mr Filmer was fined £240 with £85 costs and £24 surcharge. He was also ordered to pay Mr Blandy £100 in compensation.