Preston Pub Owner Charged With Attacking Punter

Police were called to a well-known Preston pub in October after one of it’s owners attacked a punter.

The incident happened in the early hours of October 2nd at Sylvester’s Bar & Soul Suite.

The bar, located on Church Street in Preston, has since undergone a licensing review, orchestrated by Lancashire Constabulary. The meeting convened on Thursday, November 23, shedding new light on what happened on October 2nd.

James Peoples, 36, an owner of the establishment, reportedly assaulted a 72-year-old customer, rendering him unconscious.

Peoples, a resident of Dodgson Place, Preston, subsequently resigned as a director, leaving Leroy Allen as the sole director of the company. Lancashire Constabulary, in a report to the council, revealed that Peoples was heavily intoxicated during the altercation.

This incident follows a previous report in May 2023, where similar allegations of racial abuse were lodged against Peoples after being ejected from the premises by door staff.

Despite these events, Sylvester’s Bar & Soul Suite has managed to retain its license, albeit with specified conditions. The constabulary emphasized the obligation of licensed premises to promote the Licensing Objectives, expressing concern over one of the directors being a source of crime and disorder.

James Peoples appeared before Preston Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, October 3, admitting to assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH). He received a 12-month community order and must fulfill 100 hours of unpaid work.

Additionally, he was directed to compensate his victim with a £600 payment. The outcome underscores the delicate balance between maintaining business operations and ensuring public safety in licensed establishments.