AN OFF-DUTY police officer having a drink with friends had to intervene in a brawl outside a pub, a court heard.
PC Michael Henshall was in the Bridge Inn, Radcliffe, when he spotted the fight between four men, one of whom was brandishing a hammer.
Andrew Gorton had been seen to hit Michael Doherty with a claw hammer and had then been knocked to the ground himself by David Doherty and Ian Gray, Bolton Crown Court heard. The policeman stood over Gorton to protect him from being attacked while he awaited for help. The dispute flared following a row between the men the previous day.
Gray, aged 34, of Milltown Close, Radcliffe, David Doherty, aged 43, and his nephew Michael Doherty, both of Coronation Road, Radcliffe, appeared in court for sentence. Gray and Michael Doherty admitted public order offences and David Doherty admitted affray. Judge Derwin Hope sentenced Gray to an 80-hour community punishment order and sentenced Michael Doherty to a two-year community rehabilitation order with a condition he seek help for alcohol problems.
David Doherty was sentenced to an 80-hour punishment order and two-year rehabilitation order, also with a condition he gets help for alcohol problems.
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