A publican whose jaw was fractured during an attack has called for the ’stretched’ police to be given more resources and for offenders to be given tougher sentences.

Guy Rossiter, of the Rover’s Return in Douglas, was attacked in May this year by Michael Hall who, following a second assault while on remand, has been sentenced to 30 months in prison.

Mr Rossiter, who has run the Rover’s Return for 10 years, tried to stop Hall walking away from the pub with a glass when he was punched in the jaw, which was fractured and required three operations to repair.

He admitted that the attack had left him questioning whether the job is ’worth it’ with a young family, but said his love for the pub industry had not diminished.

Mr Rossiter, who is the deputy chairman of the Licensed Victuallers’ Association, said: ’There has been an increase in violence towards bar staff in the last two to three years and it is a concern which is why the LVA did the Section 35 campaign over the right to refuse service.

’Some of the respect for the pub culture has been lost and there has also been an increase in people drinking at home coming out later at night already drunk and a rise in recreational drug use.’

He said that his primary concerns were for the safety of his staff and providing a safe and friendly drinking environment, which the majority of customers respect and engage in.

However, a rise in violent offences at weekends fuelled by drink and drugs was a growing concern for himself and the LVA and one which it ’will not tolerate any more’.

Mr Rossiter praised the role the police play in quelling violence towards bar staff.

But he said the force must be given more resources and he would like to see drug dogs being taken out on weekends.

He said he recognised that the service was stretched.

Mr Rossiter questioned whether, with the police doing their best, the courts were handing out sentences that could be seen as a deterrent.

He said: ’I was attacked three years ago and lost four teeth. The man got a suspended sentence and a fine.

’This time I had my jaw broken and he gets two-and-a-half years.

’I do think the sentences have been too lenient. In this case, Michael Hall was known to police.

’I also don’t see why it took six months for this to get to court. When there are non-residents over, they can be in court within days.

’I think the Attorney General’s office could be a little quicker in moving cases.’

Despite suffering a broken jaw, Mr Rossiter said the worst part of the attack was how it could affect his children.

He added: ’Generally I absolutely love the job, but lying to my young family it does really pain me.

’I don’t want to lie to them, but I don’t want my kids worrying about me every time I go to work.’

Chief Constable Gary Roberts in his 2017/18 annual review also called for more resources for the police following no increase for a number of years.

Mr Roberts said: ’The constabulary has not sought more resources for several years, following government policy.

’At your request I will be submitting business cases for growth for the 2019-20 year to address shortfalls in training and development budgets; to meet succession planning challenges; to allow us to maintain both neighbourhood policing and the policing of our roads and to tackle serous and organised crime.’

Michael Joshua Hall was jailed for two and a half years for ’shocking acts of violence’, which saw him break Guy Rossier’s jaw and another man’s nose.

Hall, whose address was given as the prison, admitted both assaults - one of which inflicted grievous bodily harm.

Guy Rossiter required surgery on his jaw following the attack on May 4.

And the victim of the second assault, on June 8, was taken to hospital where he was found to have suffered a fractured nose and bleed in the eye.

Deemster Alastair Montgomerie told Hall while passing sentence: ’These were shocking acts of violence on innocent and unsuspecting members of the public.’

Prosecutor Hazel Carroon told a court last week that, on May 4 at 8pm, police were called to the Rover’s Return, which is on Church Street, behind the town hall.

Mr Rossiter told police he had asked Hall and another man to leave the pub due to their behaviour towards staff.

The men were argumentative and when they left, took a glass with them as they headed towards Lord Street.

Mr Rossiter said he followed them to retrieve the glass but was then hit on the jaw from behind by Hall. This was confirmed by witnesses.

Hall was found by police and told them: ’I have not done anything wrong.’

Mr Rossiter attended Noble’s Hospital and was found to have suffered a fractured jaw, which required an operation and mini plates inserting.

Hall was bailed pending further inquiries but while on bail, on June 8, he got involved in another incident in Thomas Street, Douglas.

A man and woman were parking their car outside CTH Insurance when Hall walked behind the car causing the driver to slam on the brakes.

The man said: ’Well done mate’, which prompted Hall to wait for him to get out of the car.

Hall was said to have at first thrown a fake punch and giggled but as the man started to walk away, Hall shouted: ’Oi mate,’ and punched him between the eyes and nose, causing him to hunch over. Hall then continued his attack by kicking the man in the face.

The victim was taken to the hospital and found to have suffered a fractured nasal bone and retinal bleed.

Defending Hall in court, advocate Stephen Wood said: ’The court must be quite understandably wondering what was going through Mr Hall’s head during the period between May 4 and June 8. The offences don’t seem to have much of an instigator.’

Mr Wood went on to say that Hall had been working incredibly long hours and was under a great deal of stress.

A probation report said that Hall was suffering from mental health issues and a diagnosis of ADHD was also mentioned.

Mr Wood said: ’He is prepared to do all it takes to ensure he is not before the court again in future. We all have to manage stress. Mr Hall would benefit from the assistance of professionals.

’He has, since his remand, gained enhanced prisoner status and is getting his head down and is working in the kitchen.’

Deemster Montgomerie praised Hall’s partner for supporting him in court.

The Deemster told Hall: ’Your assault on Mr Rossiter was unprovoked. He had no warning because you punched him in the face from behind. Your victim was a licensee who had earlier called the police because of your behaviour.

’While on bail for GBH you used your foot as a weapon and kicked your victim forcefully to his face.

’You are very fortunate his injuries were not more serious.

’No person should have to undergo what you did to them.’

The period for which Hall will be on licence upon his release was also extended by 12 months.