Bearwood drinker arrested in fake fag row
A SIXTY-A-DAY smoker was arrested after a pub row sparked by a fake “ cigarette” designed to help him kick the habit.
Paul Deeks spent a night in the cells after police were called to The Dog Inn at Bearwood amid claims that vapours from his £50 electronic cigarette were upsetting regulars.
The pub said police were called when he ignored “polite” requests to put out the £50 dummy cigarette.
But Mr Deeks denied the allegation and other claims that he was abusive to staff and refused to leave the venue.
The 53-year-old, of Lightwoods Hill, Bearwood, said: “Four police officers arrived.
“I approached them and explained what was going on.
“They asked me to leave and I did. I was cool, calm and collected.
“I was not abusive and did not use any bad language.
“I tried to explain to the officers what had happened but they would not listen.
“I said ‘if you’re going to ignore me you might as well arrest me’ – so they did.”
A Smokefree England spokesman said Mr Deeks was within his legal rights to use the electronic cigarette because it did not emit smoke.
But he conceded: “It would be an idea to ask permission first.”
A pub spokesman said: “A customer was politely asked on several occasions to refrain from smoking an electronic cigarette inside the pub.
“Due to the customer’s refusal to follow the wishes of staff and his subsequent behaviour towards them, he was asked to leave the premises, which he also refused to do.
“As is always a last resort, police were called to assist with the situation.”
Mr Deeks was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and carted off to Piddock Road police station in Smethwick following the incident.
It happened at about 11.30pm on January 9. He was detained until 8am the next day and also hit with an £80 fine.
Mr Deeks said he was unhappy at the way he was treated by police and asked for the force to review CCTV evidence from inside the pub.
A West Midlands Police spokesman said: “Staff at the Dog Inn called police after a customer suspected of being drunk and disorderly was refusing to leave.
“Officers spoke with the man, who again refused to leave.
“The man was then escorted from the premises.
“After attempting to re-enter the pub and behaving in a disorderly manner, the man was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and later issued with a fixed penalty notice.”
