Ashley Blake 'feared for his life' at bar, court told
“It was really frightening.” Blake told police on the night of the incident. “As part of my job I have taken part in hostile environment training with police to deal with riots and I can only liken it to that.
“We were scared and trying to retreat back. I was in fear of my life.”
In the first interview on January 25, Blake described how the mood had changed from light hearted banter to a heated situation when guests were being asked to leave.
In his statement he said: “They were drunk and angry and baying for blood.
“I used my hands to protect myself. At no point am I aware of striking anyone with anything.”
Police put it to Blake that he armed himself with the wooden pole after violence broke out when Adam Finn was punched.
During the second interview Blake was shown pictures taken on a mobile phone showing himself standing next to a bouncer called Mario with a wooden pole in his hand. Blake said the pole had been thrown at them as a missile.
Police also told Blake the pole had been retrieved from the garden centre next door but Blake said he could not account for how it got there.
By the final interview, Blake was shown CCTV footage of himself going inside the premises to get the pole from behind the bar. He said his intention was to use the pole to wedge the doors shut after getting all his staff inside but he said he saw his bouncer Mario under attack and went to assist.
When asked why he didn’t say that in the first place. He said: “It is stressful and traumatic. I am tired.”
He said he was not aware of hitting anyone.
The case continues.
