A man “lost his head” and ended up in prison after a visit to a pole dancing club. Lee Blowes attacked a security guard with a glass after allegedly sexually assaulting a worker.
He then walked away from the scene threatening “you don’t know who we are”. It came only months after he had brandished an axe during a scuffle inside a pub as shocked customers watched on in horror.
Liverpool Crown Court heard this afternoon, Friday, that Blowes was seen to pull the axe from his clothing while inside House of Ivy on Lord Street in Southport on March 31 last year. The 37-year-old, of Norlands Lane in Rainhill, then attempted to “get at somebody”, but was prevented from doing so by door staff.
Simran Garcha, prosecuting, described how he was then confronted by security at Eccentric Gentleman’s Club in the seaside town on August 10 after being accused of slapping a dancer on the bottom, an allegation he denies. Blowes then reportedly became “aggressive” and was caught on camera arming himself with a glass and “going for” one member of staff.
As he was escorted from the premises, the defendant grabbed a CCTV monitor and smashed it on the floor. He and another male in his company then left while “shouting various things, such as ‘you don’t know who we are’”.
Blowes has three previous convictions for four offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm against a police officer during the course of an arrest in 2018. Louise McCloskey, defending, told the court: “These offences are clearly ones which occurred when the defendant was under the influence of alcohol and are serious offences.
“Around the time of these offences, the defendant’s mental health was impacted by the loss of a family member. In his own words, he describes that he lost his head.
“There appear to be difficulties in thinking skills, particularly a lack of consequential forethought and impulsivity – no doubt exacerbated by the use of alcohol in situations which became emotive and inflammatory. Mr Blowes understands that the court will view these matters extremely seriously, particularly the production of the axe – which could have caused significant damage. There is clearly another side to this defendant.”
Blowes admitted two counts of affray, possession of a bladed article in a public place and criminal damage. He was jailed for two years and given a three-year restraining order.
Sentencing, Judge David Swinnerton said of the incident at House of Ivy: “The footage tells its own story. Whatever the reason, you took an axe out in a pub which was busy.
“People were in there socialising, enjoying themselves. In the midst of that occasion, it is a frightening sight indeed watching you take the axe out and aggressively going towards someone. You were pushed back, but continued to wield that axe and tried to get at whoever you had a grievance with. You had lost your self control at that point.
“That is a serious offence. Thankfully you did not actually hit anyone with that axe, otherwise you would be facing much more serious charges and many years in prison. What makes your position a lot worse is that you go on to commit further offences.
“You were in Eccentric Gentleman’s Club, which appears to be a pole dancing club having watched the CCTV footage. It seems that somebody had slapped one of the dancers on the bottom. Whoever it was, that caused the door staff to intervene. You reacted badly again.
“You chose to arm yourself again, this time with a glass. On the way out, you petulantly grabbed hold of a CCTV screen and smashed it. In many ways, that is the least of your worries.
“Learn from it. You will not be in prison for that much longer. When you come out think about how you behave in public, particular after you have had a drink. Walk away.”