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Landlady cleared for throwing out two lesbian PCs 'kissing' in pub
Last updated at 13:37pm on 16.02.07
Winner: Landlady Nicola Hackett with partner Steve Hawes
A landlady who swore at two lesbian police officers fondling in her public house - The Old Cock - has been cleared of a public order offence.
Nikki Hackett was accused of banging her fists on a table and telling the pair: "We don't want that ****ing thing or your sort in here."
Uncomfortable onlookers saw the pair passionately kissing each other during a night out in the traditional pub, prompting swift action from Mrs Hackett.
Magistrates' heard WPCs Nicola Stewart and Lisa Curchin, who claimed to be merely holding hands, had also provoked complaints from customers about their behaviour on 1 April last year.
Giving evidence during a trial at St Albans Magistrates' Court, assistant manager Rhian Roderick, said: "One of the ladies had her hand up the inner thigh of the other's short trousers.
"They were kissing passionately on the lips."
She said she alerted Mrs Hackett after seeing the pair, who were sitting at a table with PC Stewart's sister and her boyfriend, kissing for more than five seconds, three or four times.
Mrs Hackett admitted swearing at them when she asked them to stop, but denied banging her fists on the table or "using words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress".
Magistrates heard that after she had spoken to the pair one had sworn back and threatened to head-butt her before storming out.
Character witnesses speaking up for Mrs Hackett included Harpenden Deputy Mayor Michael Weaver, former police officer Peter Barrett and rival landlady Vivienne Artz.
They said that in her 12 years at the pub in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, she had transformed it from a place with a reputation for under-age drinking, drugs and trouble to a respectable establishment which helped community events.
Sean Minihan, defending, said: "Do you really think a woman with this experience in the licensing trade, dealing with a difficult pub and turning it around, would be bothered with two ladies holding pinky fingers? It beggars belief."
He said his client was entitled to ask people in her pub not to behave in a way that made other customers uncomfortable.
Presiding magistrate Penny Williams, said: "We don't believe the prosecution witnesses' versions of events.
"They were in drink, and there were significant differences."
Speaking after the hearing a relieved Mrs Hackett, who had faced the possible loss of her licence and livelihood, said: "It has been very, very traumatic for me.
"I have nothing against gay people - some of my friends are gay - but I can't have my customers being made to feel uncomfortable by public displays of passion whether it be from gay or hetrosexual couples."
PC Stewart works for Hertfordshire Constabulary in the west of the county. Her partner, who became a police officer after the incident, works in Bedfordshire.
Reader views (6)
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I would like to be in the pub before and after to see whether the owners react the same way towards all couples getting a bit too intimate! I personally don't think anything would be said. Regardless of sexuality everyone should be stopped from being too graphic in public, but I think this case is more to do with the fact they were two women rather than the actions being too graphic. If you feel that something is taboo even a passionate kiss will be over the mark.
- Joe, UK
Common Sense 1 - political Correctness 0. This is great! Just need a few more results like this to stop all this barmy ultra left nonsense within the UK. If a pub landlord does not like your behaviour, then you are out, that has always been the way regardless of gender etc...
- Thomas Ward, London UK
How I agree with Ken.
In today's police service, so-called 'homophobia' is a much more serious matter than run of the mill robbery, violence or theft involving the rest of us. The person to blame in this debacle is the misguided senior officer who considered it appropriate to submit the case file to the CPS in the first place. Expect more of this sort of stuff!
Yet another disgusted (senior) ex-cop.
- David, Cambridge, UK
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