Man left unconscious after Northumberland thugs sparked pub brawl over missing mobile phone

Three Northumberland men instigated a pub brawl after believing a mobile phone had been stolen.

James McGowan, 31, Reece McDowell, 27, and Alan Jobson, 31, launched an attack on two men in the Flying Horse pub in Blyth, leaving one unconscious. The violence broke out after McGowan believed the two victim's were involved in stealing his phone.

The attack left one of the men with injuries after he was kicked and kneed in the head. One of the victims also sustained facial injuries and a chipped tooth in the attack, which happened on July 25, 2021.

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On Monday, all three men appeared at Newcastle Crown Court, via link from HMP Durham, to be sentenced for assault occasioning actual bodily harm. McDowell was also sentenced for further offences relating to separate incidents, including outraging public decency, assault, possession of cocaine, threatening behaviour, and possession of an offensive weapon.

McDowell was also sentenced for theft from a shop, criminal damage, and threatening behaviour. Jobson was sentenced for a separate charge of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Peter Sabiston, prosecuting, said the offences that involved all three defendants was the pub brawl that was committed against two male victims who were sitting in the bar. He said: "One [victim] recalls being approached by McGowan who wanted to plug his phone in to charge.

"He later returned and found that the phone was missing. He returned again five minutes later and accused one of the men of taking his phone." The court heard that McGowan then grabbed the face of one of the men and told him "let's go outside" - which the victim did.

Mr Sabiston told the court that once the man went outside, he was confronted by McDowell, Jobson and a woman. He said: "He was attacked and kicked and kneed in the head." The attack left the man with facial injuries and torn clothing.

The court heard that one of the victims was set upon by McGowan, who "kicked him in the face, rendering him unconscious". CCTV also showed him "stamping" on the man's head during the attack. The victim was later taken to hospital.

In September 2022, McGowan was in trouble again after entering a pub he was barred from and went on to assault the landlady. He "made threats to kick off" while inside the pub and then returned a couple of months later before being arrested and found to be in possession of cocaine. That same November, McGowan was caught outraging public decency at Sinners nightclub in Newcastle. Mr Sabiston said that McGowan exposed himself to two women who were dancing in the club - one of the women was left with anxiety issues. In February 2023, he was caught in possession of an offensive weapon - a baton - while causing a disturbance in a street.

The court heard that in September last year, Jobson was behind the wheel of a car when he crashed into a moped, injuring the rider in Blyth. The victim said the crash left him with "life-changing injuries" and unable to work.

On September 16, last year, McDowell stole over £40 worth of goods from a Co-Op before going on to smash a kitchen window with a brick and make threats. The court heard he is in breach of a probation order.

Kate Barnes, defending Jobson, of Carlton Street, Blyth - who is the father to a young child - said he became involved in the pub brawl through "misplaced loyalty". She said: "He accepts he was intoxicated and takes full responsibility for his appalling actions." Speaking of the motoring offence, she added: "Something was taking place in the vehicle. There was an argument which caused him to turn round momentarily and he was involved in a collision. It happened so quickly, he did not stop at the scene, which is of deep regret to him."

Richard Herrmann, defending McGowan, of Elsdon Close, Blyth, said he was "experiencing a difficult time" after suffering a bereavement and turning to drink and drugs. Speaking of the Sinners offence, he said McGowan was "playing the fool, trying to get a laugh", but has since "had the opportunity to reflect in a sober way".

Mr Herrmann was also defending McDowell, of Beaumont Street, Blyth, and said he also "naively" got involved in the brawl through misplaced loyalty. He added: "His offending seems to revolve around drink. He is determined in beating this cycle of alcohol [misuse]." He said he also suffers from mental health issues like anxiety and depression.

Judge Stephen Earl will sentence the three men on Monday, August 5. He remanded them all in custody.