A boxer has this week been handed a suspended jail term after throwing broken bottles at a man, smashing a bar stool over another’s head and punching a bar doorman as a family summer holiday turned to violence, a court has heard.
Welterweight boxer Frankie Gavin, 30, has admitted his part in the violence at Krackers Bar in Brean just days after he lost his world title bid in May.
Mr Gavin, nicknamed ‘Funtime Frankie’, appeared at Taunton Magistrates Court this week to face sentencing for a charge of affray.
The court was told that the boxer, from Yardley in the West Midlands, became involved in violence in the bar on the evening of June 7th while out with his partner and their two young children and two other male friends with their families.
The three pals, who had been drinking heavily, got involved in a dispute with staff at the bar.
Gavin’s friend Andrew Reilly, 31, from Hidcote Grove, Kitts Green – who was also in court after pleading guilty to affray – was the mastermind of the violence and at first, magistrates heard, Gavin stood back.
But when a man who had been attacked was on the floor, the Birmingham boxer broke a bottle on a table then threw it at the victim.
CCTV footage captured him smashing a bar stool over another man’s head. Then, when the men headed back to the bar later to retrieve their car keys that they’d left behind, Gavin punched a doorman before leaving.
Miss Emma Lenanton, prosecuting, told the court: “The bar was full of members of the public including children who witnessed the violence. Six people were injured, including a pensioner who got caught up in the violence, and injuries they received included cuts and bruises. It was sustained violence.”
Mr Sam Roake, representing Mr Gavin, said: “This was totally out of character. Mr Gavin is very much a role model in boxing. He has forged a successful career and wants to train young talented fighters when his career ends. He does a lot of charity work.”
“He realises that if he goes to prison his career will be over. He will lose his licence. He is begging the court to be merciful. This will never happen again. He is a family man and has two young children. They witnessed what happened and he is embarrassed and full of shame at his actions. He is disgusted by what he did.”
District judge David Taylor said: “I have read your references, including one from promoter Eddie Hearn, who calls you a role model. Well, you are a role model – for gratuitous violence in the full view of children. But in your favour I have watched the CCTV footage and you were not the prime aggressor.”
Mr Gavin was handed a five-month prison term suspended for 12 months. He was also told to complete 180 hours of unpaid work for the community and told to pay costs of £1,800. He was also ordered to pay £75 to each of the six victims.
