Judge John Cheatle imposed a four-month sentence, suspended on the condition Heffernan did not re-offend for 18 months. Heffernan had 33 prior convictions, which included 14 offences under the Public Order Act, three assaults, thefts and road traffic offences. The court heard he had been refused service after entering with an opened can of the non-alcoholic energy drink Monster. Heffernan told the court he understood pub etiquette and finished the energy drink outside. However, he claimed he was refused service “without a valid reason” when he re-entered the pub to order a hot whiskey.

Source: The Herald May 16, 2023 20:57 UTC