A convicted murderer was a “central figure” in shocking violence which erupted inside a Carlisle pub and reduced the landlady to tears.

Six men were hauled before a judge at the city’s crown court for their involvement in a booze-fuelled brawl at Botchergate’s Cumberland Inn which sent customers scattering.

Four of the six were jailed for the parts they played during an incident which occurred just after midnight on March 18, 2016.

Carlisle trio Gary Christopher Green, 52, Christopher Callum Lowe, 30 and Jonathan Anthony Wall, 40, were each sentenced to eight-month prison terms after admitting affray. So, too, was 39-year-old Liverpool man Alan Hodgson.

Described by Judge James Adkin as a “central figure” in the Cumberland Inn disorder, Hodgson had been sentenced to life imprisonment in 1997 for murder – before release on licence in 2013.

Prosecutor Gerard Rogerson detailed the Carlisle pub fracas, which was captured on CCTV footage played in court.

Barmaid Jessikah Allington heard glass smashing and went into the games room to investigate.

“She could see there were numerous males who were fighting with each other,” said Mr Rogerson.

“She described how customers were moving away from the games room and appeared to be showing concern about what was happening around them. Items were being thrown and the fight was getting out of hand.”

Miss Allington summoned bouncers from a nearby pub.

“As she returned to the Cumberland Inn she describes seeing people leaving the premises with blood running down their faces and ripped clothing,” said Mr Rogerson.

“She could see there was a scene of devastation in the bar area: broken tables, broken pool cues, broken glass all over the floor.”

Miss Allington described it as “the largest fight in a bar she has ever seen”, the court heard.

Licensee Alison Boyd was absent but later watched the CCTV footage.


The Cumberland Inn She had been “in tears”, said Mr Rogerson, who added: “She was gutted at seeing this incident occurring in her pub.”

Ms Boyd had stated: “We work very hard to stop disorder occurring inside this pub.

“I will not tolerate this kind of behaviour.”

In the aftermath police issued a public appeal for information, releasing CCTV stills of the troublemakers, before rounding them up.

Barristers gave mitigation in court on behalf of the Carlisle trio.

Greg Hoare, for Wall, of Stonegarth, conceded he played a “by no means heroic role” in an “unpleasant episode”.

Clare Thomas, for father-of-five Green, said he had estimated he consumed “18 pints” that night.

“His behaviour was unattractive to say the least,” Miss Thomas accepted.

Lowe admitted being “stupid” to get involved.

Two men from Manchester were given suspended prison terms and unpaid work for their roles.

Each of the six defendants was barred from the Cumberland Inn for two years.