£20,000 wrecking spree at pub by regular

Burnley Crown Court heard how father-to-be Mohammed Asif, 25, had been to a party at the Forest Inn, Fence, and had been among a group who took proprietor Clive Siddall home.

A pub cleaner later found the pub smashed up, more than £4,500 cash missing and the floor flooded with beer. Mr Siddall not only lost business but his insurance went from £1,700 to £7,000 a year after the attack.

Asif, who later disappeared and was tracked down to London, where he now lives, admitted burglary in July 2002.

Sentencing, Judge Stuart Baker told the defendant Mr Siddall had been confronted with a scene of "complete devastation" and the damage was gratuitous.

He said there was no reason to cause such damage if all he had wanted was to go into the pub and steal.

John O'Shea, prosecuting, said Mr Siddall found the bar smashed up and the floor flooded in beer after the beer taps had been deliberately turned on. Fridges were wrecked, blood was smeared on the wall and a safe had been broken open.

The pub office was ransacked, papers were all over the floor and a photocopier and printer were damaged. Takings and wages of £4,500 had been taken as well as expensive vintage champagne and brandy. The total cost of the raid was £20,458.

Mr O'Shea said the blood was sent for forensic analysis and it was found to match the defendant's DNA profile. Asif had then been a regular at the pub.

Claire Ellis, defending, said Asif was not a prime mover in the offence and was not the only one involved.

At the time he was addicted to drink and drugs and had a troubled personal life, she said.

He had now stopped using drugs and alcohol, had moved away and made a new life for himself. He was working in a shop and he and his partner had a baby on the way.

Miss Ellis said the defendant was adamant this was the last time he was going to jail.

He wanted to draw a line under his previous life and move on.

Asif knew custody was the only option.