A DRUNKEN businessman threatened pub customers with a metal bar after "stewing" over a row, Burnley magistrates heard.

Joseph Heyworth, 28, brandished the wheel brace above his head as if he was about to hit somebody as drinkers shouted and screamed, the court was told.

Heyworth, of Foxstone Lane, Burnley, was fined £300, with £55 costs, after admitting affray.

Zabeda Maqsood, prosecuting, said Heyworth was told to leave the Bay Horse pub after shouting abuse at a couple.

He shouted to the two people to go outside and he would sort them out.

Heyworth and his friend were seen to go away in a car and about 45 minutes later, Heyworth returned, brandishing a large metal bar.

He was disarmed, but left before police arrived.

Nick Dearing, defending, said after a "mis-spent youth," Heyworth had managed to stay out of trouble for three years. He had got involved in his friend's argument, was asked to leave the pub and after stewing over the row, decided to go back and confront the couple.

He denied threatening to hit anybody and did not come close to striking anyone.

The defendant had set up his own agricultural machinery business, worked 14-16 hours a day, often seven days a week.

He was in a long-term relationship with a young lady who would not tolerate conduct of this sort.

Mr Dearing said Heyworth had been "very, very drunk" had not been thinking straight and had been on the receiving end of summary justice" by pub regulars - about which he made no complaint.

He said: "This is a young man trying to grow up, trying to be a man at last, after a completely misspent youth.

When he first appeared in court for this offence, he was terrified he had thrown it all away again."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.