Man jailed for 16 months after clash outside nightclub (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Widnes man jailed after clash outside The Establishment

11:36am Tuesday 12th February 2013 in News

A WIDNES man has been jailed after being caught brandishing a knife for the second time within a year.

Gareth Naughton, of Hale Road, was described as ‘extremely drunk’ when bouncers threw him out of The Establishment nightclub in Widnes in the early hours of November 28.

The 29-year-old continued to hang around the entrance before he tried to enter the club again and was captured on CCTV hitting out at door staff.

Kim Egerton, prosecuting, said: “He ducked and only realised afterwards the defendant had a knife in the hand he had tried to punch him with.

“The defendant left the area and was found by the police later appearing to be hiding with the knife found near to him.

“He told police it had been planted on him but agreed he was drunk after drinking 13 pints.”

Gary Lawrenson, defending, said Naughton does not dispute he had the knife out but claimed he had put it back in his pocket when he punched out.

This was dismissed by judge David Hale who said he could see something in his hand on the CCTV footage.

Mr Lawrenson added: “He had concerns about his own safety which was why he had the knife.”

Judge David Hale sentenced him to 16 months behind bars.