Fenland landlady fears backlash after Richard Branch uses her pub as bail address

Story by: MAGGIE GIBSON

A LANDLADY fears her pub could be blacklisted by villagers after troublemaker Richard Branch was given bail by a court on condition he slept there.

An angry Angie Willis of The Swan at Parson Drove said: "Good God, he would not even get served here let alone live here.

"I would understand the concerns of some villagers if he had been living here but it is just not true."

Homeless Branch, 41, had appeared before Fenland Magistrates accused of breaching his anti-social behaviour order.

Ms Willis was unaware of the court appearance and the bail condition until police checked it with her. She assured them Branch was not staying there and never had been. He was taken into custody.

She was then confronted by villagers who had read a report of the court proceedings in last week's Wisbech Standard.

She said: "Apparently he has given this address before and got away with it. A long while ago he slept rough in sheds around the back.

"There was once a letting room in the pub but not any more. There is a lot of bad feeling in the village against Branch but since I took over the pub last August he has never been in here."

Loyal customers who have continued to support the pub until work is completed to allow food to be served know Ms Willis would never provide Branch with accommodation, but some locals thought otherwise.

She said: "I was told that no-one would come into the pub knowing I was harbouring a criminal. I am hoping to start serving food soon and I can't afford for that to happen.

"I feel like putting up a huge poster saying Richard Branch has not, does not and will not live here.

"Those who know it is not true have genuinely been taking the Mickey but I want to put the record straight so everyone knows the truth. I cannot physically knock on every door in the village to say it.