A MAN from Denbigh who carried a baseball bat into a bar in Prestatyn has been spared jail.

Barry Guy, 43, of Llys Teg, was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, at Mold Crown Court today (October 16).

He had previously admitted charges of affray and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

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Suspended sentence for man guilty of assault in Prestatyn

Prosecuting, Philip Clemo told the court that, on December 17, 2022, Guy was at Origin Bar on Prestatyn’s High Street when he had an “exchange of words” with another man.

This escalated into an altercation, with Guy arguing with roughly four of five men, before the two groups were split up and matters were calmed.

The group of men then left and went to Bar 236, also on High Street, with Guy kept back in Origin Bar for about 15 to 20 minutes.

But after he was let go, he went to a car, took a baseball bat from the vehicle, and made his way to Bar 236.

Closed circuit television footage showed Guy passing through Bar 236, talking in an “animated” and agitated” fashion to a man outside, and remonstrating with the group he met in Origin Bar.

He was later arrested, and “went quietly”, before being taken into custody.

When interviewed, he said that other group “started it”, and acted in self-defence.

Guy has 23 previous convictions for 31 offences, including for numerous matters of public order, and for possession of a firearm with intent.

Defending, Duncan Bould said there was a “clear outline as to how this incident started”, and that the matter exposed “his own frailties to alcohol”.

There was “no indication, on the face of it, that he went out looking for trouble that night,” Mr Bould added.

Guy is subject to a banning order from pubs in Denbigh, which he has not breached.

Mr Bould asked for the court to suspend Guy’s custodial sentence, considering him to have a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

Sentencing, Judge Niclas Parry agreed to suspend the sentence, and ordered Guy to complete 25 days’ rehabilitation activity requirements.

Guy is also subject to a 120-day alcohol abstinence period, which will be electronically monitored via a tag.

A deprivation order was made in respect of the baseball bat, while Guy will pay £750 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service and a statutory surcharge.

Judge Parry told him: “When you’re crossed, you reach for a weapon. Its your fifth conviction for having a weapon in a public place.

“You’ve served six years in prison for weapon offences.

“When you had an opportunity to leave, you went to a vehicle, and rather than leave the scene, knowing where there was potential trouble, you reached for a weapon and went back.

“The potential for serious disorder was obvious. Mercifully, there was no injury or damage caused.”