A man has been jailed for five years after he attacked three men and two women in a pub in Blackwater.

At around 7pm on Thursday 9 November, officers were called to reports of an incident inside the Mr Bumble pub on London Road.

Three men and two women were injured. Officers from the Northern Area Crime Team launched an investigation and charged a man.

Richard Todd, 36, of Willowbourne, Fleet, pleaded guilty to four counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one count of assault by beating.

Winchester Crown Court heard Todd was described as looking for trouble before he slapped and punched innocent people inside the pub.

One woman was punched in the face while Todd had a cue ball in his hand, the court heard.

Five people suffered injuries, including extensive bruising, cuts and lacerations. Three of the five victims were taken to hospital to receive treatment.

Todd fled the scene and was later arrested and charged. He was jailed for five years at Winchester Crown Court yesterday (7 May).

Police Staff Investigator Michael Longmore, from the Northern Area Crime Team, said: “This was a random, vicious and unprovoked attack against innocent people who were extremely terrified as Todd went on a rampage inside a pub.

“Todd was intent on causing trouble that day and his despicable actions left a whole pub feeling frightened and five people with injuries.

“No one should be made to feel this way and I would like to praise the victims for their bravery in coming forward.

“I hope this sentencing result gives them an opportunity to try and move forward from this incident, knowing that Todd will be behind bars for a long period of time for what he did.

“Our officers take reports of violence extremely seriously and we will do everything we can to ensure that those who commit these kind of crimes will be dealt with robustly and put before the courts.”