He popped to the pub to have a nosey, then threw a pint of Carling over a woman

A man sued a fellow pub-goer for slander after she called him a 'horrible peedo' in front of other regulars.

John Oliver began legal action following the row at the Queens Arms in Bredbury, Stockport in January, 2022. A trial at Manchester Civil Justice Centre heard the argument stemmed from claims Mr Oliver, 61, had been 'sexually harassing' a woman.

During an exchange between Mr Oliver and the woman, he made allegations against a member of the woman's family.

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The woman responded by saying 'go away you horrible peedo' (sic). Mr Oliver then threw his pint of lager over the woman.

She said he also threw the glass at her, hitting her on the chest, a claim Mr Oliver denied. Police, who were at the pub dealing with an earlier incident, spoke to both the woman and Mr Oliver, but she told officers she 'did not want any more trouble' and just wanted Mr Oliver 'out of the pub'.

The row came amid chaotic scenes in the Queens Arms. Earlier that evening two men who had been barred were refused service, the trial heard.

They then 'started to smash up the pub, throwing pool balls, snapping pool cues and throwing glasses'. Mr Oliver, who had been drinking with friends in the nearby Conservative Club, noticed police at the scene and popped into the Queens Arms to 'have a nosey'.

As staff were talking to police, the woman had begun helping out behind the bar, but because she had no access to the till was asking customers for the exact change. Mr Oliver ordered a pint of Carling from her, but was 30p short.

She claimed she returned the money to him, before Mr Oliver threw it back at her with the words 'You can take that you fat b****' then laughed when the cash fell to the floor. Mr Oliver denied throwing the money, saying he had simply handed it over and said he would sort it out with staff.

The trial heard claims several women in the pub had 'expressed concern' about Mr Oliver's behaviour. The woman claimed 'he likes to pursue young women, likes to be liked, likes to get his own way, does not like to take no for an answer and is not happy if women reject his advances'. Mr Oliver disagreed with that characterisation.

The woman told the court she thought the word 'peedo' meant 'dirty old man'. When she learnt it was an abbreviation of paedophile she was said to be 'horrified'. Mr Oliver said the insult, which the judge ruled was heard by four other people, had had a 'devastating' impact on him and his family.

He told the court threats had been made against him and that he had a pint thrown over him in the Conservative Club and told he was a 'kiddy fiddler'. He said he was dealing with the consequences of the insult 'on a daily basis' and that friends were 'unsure' about him, as there is 'no smoke without fire'.

He also felt people were looking at him in a different way and gets peculiar looks when out with his grandson.

But the judge Mr Justice Hill dismissed the claim, saying Mr Oliver had not proved the woman's words 'have caused, or were likely to cause, serious harm to his reputation'.

In his written judgment Mr Justice Hill said: "I have found that on January 28, 2022 the Claimant a man in his 60s, [made claims against the Defendant's family member].

"The Defendant responded, saying 'go away you horrible peedo' [sic]. This had the single meaning that the Claimant was a 'dirty old man', more specifically 'a man of a certain age who subjected younger women to unwelcome sexual interest'.

"Although these words conveyed a meaning or imputation which was defamatory at common law, the Claimant has not brought himself within one of the exceptions permitting him to bring a slander claim without proving special damage. He can prove no special damage."

Both parties represented themselves at trial on October 3. No order for costs was made.