Pickering on the wrong person

Ever had that sinking feeling?Well, the members of Whitehaven's Pubwatch committee must know what it's like and also wish they could find a large hole to hide in.

The reason for their discomfort is they banned a 14-year-old schoolboy from every pub and club in the Cumbrian coastal town and adjoining villages.

Gavin Pickering was stunned when police turned up at his home to present him with an exclusion order.

The order was made after Pubwatch committee members incorrectly named Gavin following an incident at the Welsh Arms in Whitehaven last month.

They should have named Graham Pickering as the person responsible.

Gavin's mum, Lesley Pickering, said the mistake had caused her son an enormous amount of distress and he was getting abuse at school.

"He was beside himself.

He says his name is blackened now for when he does start going out.

It was obvious when we got theletter that it was a mistake.

"He hasn't even been into a pub.

The police should have done a thorough check before they came round."

Although she accepts the letter was sent in error, Mrs Pickering said Gavin deserved an apology and a letter from the police making it clear he was not in trouble.

Sergeant James Mason, of the Whitehaven Pubwatch committee, said it was a genuine and unfortunate error.

"Gavin Pickering was not responsible in any way for any anti-social behaviour.

He was misnamed at the Pubwatch meeting.

"Both the Pubwatch committee and the police want to apologise for any inconvenience caused to a boy, who clearly was not in licensed premises or has been in trouble."

Pubwatch committee members now have forms to complete before making an exclusion order request.

Oh, and they've now got round to dealing with the real baddie, Graham Pickering, who is on a Pubwatch probation for 11 months.