'Vile and sickening!' Neighbour accuses pub-goers of mocking mum's death and cutting off CCTV
Martin Daubney reports on one of the longest running neighbour rows in the UK
GB News
A Stoke-on-Trent man has accused pub-goers of mocking his mother's death, as well as other serious anti-social behaviours.
Malcolm Williams, who lives opposite the Pool Dole pub in Fenton, has provided 57 CCTV recordings of customers swearing in the beer garden, urinating in public, brawling and conducting "potential drug deals".
"We see, hear all the constant drunk, foul and swearing behaviour across from our house. We have a beer garden at times full of up to 60 people who are drunk/drugged right on our doorstep. We cannot have our windows or doors open in warm weather or enjoy our garden," Williams has revealed in a victim impact statement.
He added: "We can't walk out of our house without expecting some vile comments or intimidation, anything to stop us from protesting about the Pool Dole.
Malcolm Williams, who lives opposite the Pool Dole pub in Fenton, has provided 57 CCTV recordings of customers swearing in the beer garden, urinating in public, brawling and conducting "potential drug deals"
Google Street View
Williams mentioned that the pub's customers have physically assaulted him, cut off his CCTV camera and mocked the death of his mother.
"We never had problems like this within the local community until we started making justified complaints against the Pool Dole as regards drug use in front of children, drug dealing and so forth. It is sickening what has happened," he recounted.
The review application has gained support from Staffordshire Police and council licensing officers, who are calling for stricter conditions on the pub's licence.
He has reported up to 60 intoxicated people gathering in the beer garden, preventing his family from opening windows or enjoying their garden.
Williams has also claimed that his house has become "virtually worthless and unsellable" due to the pub's issues.
A serious incident occurred in July when offenders entered the pub after closing time and removed recording equipment following an earlier reported assault.
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City council licensing officer Faye Withington has backed calls for tighter controls, noting the current licence from 2005 doesn't support "the robust management required of a busy, modern premises".
Proposed new conditions for the pub include restrictions on beer garden use and festoon lighting, as well as the requirement to close doors and windows during entertainment events.
Currently, the Pool Dole is licensed until 12.30am Sunday to Thursday, and until 1.30am on Fridays and Saturdays.
The lighting restrictions came after Williams complained about light pollution from the beer garden's festoon lighting.
Proposed new conditions for the pub include restrictions on beer garden use and festoon lighting, as well as the requirement to close doors and windows during entertainment events
Google Street View
However, some local residents have defended the Pool Dole, opposing the licence review, including Kenneth Ford of Pool Street, who praised the pub's modernisation, saying it has created jobs and become a vital community hub.
"No one is forced to use the pub but every time you enter the pub there's a warm welcome," said Ford.
"Mark and his team have become part of the community providing a safe environment for families and OAP."
Local resident Simon Johnson called the complaints unrepresentative of "the feelings of the Fenpark community in general".
A spokesman for Admiral Taverns said they were working with licensees and authorities but could not comment further before the sub-committee's hearing on Tuesday morning.
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