AN IPSWICH pub landlord has hit out at “heavy-handed” police tactics which he claimed led to a mass brawl at his premises.Michael Kerry was speaking after three men appeared in court following the incident at the Silver Star pub in Vernon Street late on December 1.

AN IPSWICH pub landlord has hit out at “heavy-handed” police tactics which he claimed led to a mass brawl at his premises.

Michael Kerry was speaking after three men appeared in court following the incident at the Silver Star pub in Vernon Street late on December 1.

Last week magistrates heard that 150 people had been at the pub for a special music night when a police officer thought he had heard a woman screaming, and went inside to investigate.

Soon after 25 officers came into the pub, which led to a brawl with glasses being thrown, officers being kicked and people shouting abuse.

But Mr Kerry said if the first officer had not marched in at the end of a busy evening, things would not have got out of hand.

He said: “It had been a good night and people had had something to drink, but things were not out of hand in any way until he came rushing in on his own.

“I was standing by the door and if had asked me to get the person he wanted to see I would have fetched him out and there would have been no trouble.

“But he stormed in, tripped up and then people started shouting. If this had been handled more sensibly there would have been no incident in the first place.

“As it was I had to see the chief superintendent and was told to keep the pub in order. I hadn't had any problems keeping it in order until the police rushed in.”

A spokesman for Suffolk police said: “Four people were charged in connection with this offence and were brought before the court and have been dealt with.”