Why Thug Mum Walked Free

Standing behind the bar, I beamed as customers streamed in. The DJ blasted his first track and I felt the usual thrill of excitement. 

- Joe Cusack

I loved my work.

At 16, I’d started my first job – collecting glasses in a bar. From there, I’d worked my way up to manager – and I’d fallen for the doorman, Peter Edwards.

Before long, we were living together. Life was good.

Then, in August 2015, we decided to open a bar of our own.

It was a big challenge, with long hours and hard work. But the opening night of the Kandy Klub, St Helens, had been a huge success.

I was so proud. 

Last June, I was looking forward to my 30th birthday.

But, because it fell on a Sunday, I’d have to work at the bar the night before.

Saturday was our busiest night. I didn’t mind, though. I enjoyed being there.

At midnight, the DJ shouted, ‘Happy Birthday, Jemma!’

Customers wished me well.

The atmosphere was great. At 1am, it was so busy that I had to squeeze through a crowd of people to get to the bar. 

‘’Scuse me!’ I smiled. Everyone obliged, but then one man standing in my way turned and glared.

‘Who the f*ck are you?’ he drunkenly snarled. He shoved me hard against the wall and I felt a horrible cracking feeling down my back.

Wincing in pain, I hurried off to find Peter. ‘He needs to leave,’ I said.

Peter and another staff member quietly led the man outside and that seemed to be that.