From the East Kent Mercury, 23 October 2024. By Sean McPolin.

Landlady left customer at pub needing surgery.

A jealous landlady accused a customer of winking at her husband - and then attacked her when she later found her asleep behind the bar.

Serena Scoble threw two glasses at Michelle Baker in The Staggered Inn micropub in Dover and left her needing surgery after broken shards caused a “deep wound” in her knee.

In an explosive outburst, the 47-year-old also kicked Ms Baker in the back, chucked a drink over her and called her a liar and a “s**g”.

Scoble later pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding, but avoided jail when she was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday.

Douglas Scott, prosecuting, said a row broke out in the High Street pub at about 9pm on December 13 last year when Scoble accused her husband Jason and Ms Baker of winking at each other.

She continued to shout at Ms Baker before leaving the pub and saying: “He’s just trying to get in your knickers - fill your boots.”

The court heard how Ms Baker became intoxicated and wanted to get a taxi but was unable to find one available. Mr Scoble then offered her a blanket and a pillow to bed down behind the bar.

Hours later, at about 11pm, a sleeping Ms Baker was woken by Mr Scoble’s angry wife, who began kicking her in the back while yelling “I knew it - you are a f***ing liar” and calling her a “s**g”.

Scoble then walked in front of the bar, grabbed a glass and threw a drink at Ms Baker.

She then hurled two glasses at her, with Ms Baker’s leg left bleeding from a “deep wound”.

She was taken to the William Harvey Hospital. The landlady was later arrested and gave a ‘no comment’ interview.

In a victim impact statement, Ms Baker told how the attack had seriously impacted her mental health, increasing her anxiety and leaving her struggling to sleep.

She said: “I have been very lonely and can’t go out with my friends or family as I’m afraid of something happening again.”

The court also heard Ms Baker has trouble walking now due to the injury and has lost money from not being able to work.

James Burke, mitigating, said Scoble was remorseful about the attack, which was “impulsive” and occurred during an emotionally charged situation.

He added: “She has shown a determination to take steps to address her offending behaviour. She volunteers at a boxing club and sponsors a child there.”

Mr Burke said due to Scoble being a well-known pub owner, there had been a lot of things said on social media about her which had caused stress.

Recorder Daniel Stevenson said there were two aggravating factors in the offence. Firstly, the victim was alone when it happened. Secondly, Scoble was the licensee and was meant to look after her customers. He said the situation came during the breakdown in the relationship between Scoble and her husband.

He added that he was satisfied Scoble did not mean to cause serious harm.

Scoble, who was supported in court by her son and friends, was handed a nine-month custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months.

She was also told to complete 100 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months.

In January last year, the Scobles told this paper how the new micropub was their dream business venture.

Together, they had transformed what was previously the "Thirsty Scarecrow" - Britain's first micro-cider house into The Staggered Inn.

At the time, Mr Scoble said: "I wanted a pub that I would like to walk into, with the prices that I would like to pay, with the beer I would like.

"Locals are our number one.”