A pub landlord wept today (FRI) as he was cleared

A pub landlord wept today (FRI) as he was cleared of trying to stab a customer to death.

Leonard Fowler, 47, was alleged to have plunged a 12-inch kitchen knife into Robert MeeQuye’s shoulder, severing an artery.

But a jury acquitted him of attempted murder after Fowler told said he had been upstairs at the time of the stabbing and had no idea what had happened.

The court heard that Mr MeeQuye stopped off for a drink at
Duke of Sutherland and spotted a toddler ambling towards the gents.

When Mr MeeQuye alerted the child’s father he was told to mind his own business before the rest of the pub turned on him.

As he made his way towards the front door, Fowler allegedly called Mr MeeQuye a ‘black b******d’ before clambering onto a bar stool and thrusting the knife into his arm and chest.

And as a stunned Mr MeeQuye tried to escape his attacker, he was twice stabbed in the back, it was claimed.

He was taken to hospital where his wounds were treated while police officers went to the Walworth Road pub.

Fowler told police he had tried to mop up the blood from a fight between two drinkers but was said he was not involved.

Giving evidence, Fowler told the court: ‘I did not stab the man.

I was not even in the bar.

‘

Fowler, of, Olney Road, Walworth denied attempted murder on December 11 last year.

He further denied an alternative, lesser charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Fowler thanked the jury when they returned their not guilty verdicts.

ends