Attack victim gives up justice fight

A licensee has "given up fighting for justice" after police failed to prosecute a yob who attacked her.

Amanda Wilkinson formally complained to police because it took officers six weeks to get statements from those involved and witnesses — the Crown Prosecution Service eventually took no action, saying evidence was conflicting.

She is the latest host to complain that justice isn't being meted out to yobs who attack licensees. It follows the launch of National Pubwatch's Court Not Caution campaign, which wants anyone who attacks hosts or pub staff to face court.

Wilkinson was pushed into the road outside her pub after asking a group of young people to stop shouting outside the premises. She suffered a broken arm and shoulder and couldn't work or drive for almost six months.

"There's a condition on my licence saying I must measure and control noise both inside and outside my premises. That's what I was doing," said the Enterprise tenant of Hales Bar in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

"I made a formal complaint questioning the action of the officers, and why it took so long to arrest the

culprit and obtain statements, in the case of such severe injuries. I have never got anywhere with my attempts. I even approached my local MP to no avail.

"I have been a licensee for almost 22 years and I feel extremely let down by the lack of support and professional standards of my local police. I've given up fighting for justice."

The MA left a message with North Yorkshire Police, but has received no reply.

- Sign the petition to Gordon Brown as part of the Court Not Caution campaign. See http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/courtnotcaution