Hemlington pub has licence suspended over ‘slash attack’

Several police vehicles attended the Cleveland Huntsman pub in Hemlington, on Thursday, July 24, following an alleged attack which saw the pub cordoned off until Friday morning.

A 30-year-old was reportedly “stabbed in the abdomen area and slashed across the neck” following an argument, the licensing agenda states.

On July 25, Cleveland Police submitted an application to Middlesbrough Council for a summary review of the premises licence for the Viewley Centre Road venue.

The summary review hearing took place on Monday, July 28, with the provisional date for the full hearing being proposed for next month, on Monday, August 18.

The force wanted to see interim steps taken for suspension of the licence as well as the removal of the designated premises supervisor (DPS).

The solicitor for the premises licence holder concurred with the police on this matter and following deliberation by councillors who sit on the relevant sub-committee, both of the requests made by the police were met.

At the meeting, Paul Clarke, force solicitor for Cleveland Police, asked for an exclusion of the press and public, as a result of the “ongoing, live, police investigation”, adding: “The gentleman appeared before court on Saturday morning has been remanded to the crown court, under grievous bodily harm with intent charge until sometime in August.

“So we’re still investigating that and therefore the video, we would not want the press or any member of the public to see at this stage.”

David Woodier has appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court charged with section 18 wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article. The 62-year-old, of no fixed abode, has been remanded in custody and will appear at Teesside Crown Court on August 26.

Mr Clarke confirmed that the designated premises supervisor has now been released without charge. Following clarification, it was confirmed that the press exclusion would extend to the period of the CCTV being shown to the sub-committee.

A licensing authority officer confirmed that on Friday, July 25, the council’s licensing authority received an application for “a summary review of licensed premises named Cleveland Huntsman, the application has been made on the grounds of serious crime and disorder.”

The licensable activities that are conducted at the Cleveland Huntsman were read out and included live music, recorded music, facilities for dancing, facility like music/dance and the sale of alcohol on and off the premises.

The application was made by Cleveland Police under Section 53A of the Licensing Act 2003.

The licensing authority officer added: “This morning’s meeting is to ensure that the licensing authority carry out the requirements from the Licensing Act, with a view to promoting the licensing objectives, which are: to prevent crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance and protection of children from harm.”

She added: “The premises have had the benefit of a premises licence under the provisions of the Licensing Act since 2005.”

The premises held a justices licence and a public entertainment licence for many years prior to that date. Members heard they were being asked to consider the interim steps, with options including: modifications of conditions of the premises licence, exclusion of the sale of alcohol from the scope of the licence, removal of the designated premises supervisor from the licence, or the suspension of the licence.

It was confirmed that the DPS lives on the premises, and that they have been on the premises for approximately seven months, and the establishment has undergone an extensive refurbishment.

There haven’t been any major issues reported to the police, but this incident was deemed to be adequately significant that Cleveland Police believed that removal of the DPS would be a “proportionate and necessary course of action to uphold the licensing objectives”.

Andrew Cochrane, solicitor for the premises licence holder confirmed that following the viewing of the CCTV footage, the suggestion that had been put forward by the police would probably be “the best course of action.”

The session then entered a closed session for councillors on the sub-committee to make the decision.

Pending the determination of the full review of the premises, members of the sub-committee decided to suspend the whole of the premises licence and remove the designated premises supervisor.

Chair of the sub-committee Middlesbrough Independent Councillors Association (MICA) Councillor Stephen Hill explained the reasons for the decision made, saying: “A serious incident occurred at the premises on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at around 6.40pm. The premises were open and serving alcohol when an argument broke out between two individuals.

“The perpetrator has then [allegedly] used the bladed article to slash the victim’s neck as well as stab the victim in the abdomen area, causing a puncture wound. The victim was taken to hospital.

“The committee viewed CCTV footage of the incident and determined that it was both serious crime and disorder. The committee concluded that this incident was so significant that the interim steps are proportionate to prevent further disorder and to promote the licensing objectives.”

Cllr Hill confirmed that a full review is required within 28 days of the receipt of the application by the police. The full hearing has been proposed for August 18.

A spokesperson for Cleveland Police confirmed that a 62-year-old man was charged with wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article and he was remanded in custody to appear at court where he was further remanded. The 45-year-old woman was released with no further action. The 30-year-old man has been released from hospital.