A MUSLIM man threatened a pub landlady with an iron bar because he felt he had suffered abuse following the events of September 11th, Richmond Magistrates heard on Tuesday.

Okba Hadj-Lakehal, 33, of Kenwood Green, Barnes, pleaded guilty to charges of using threatening behaviour and causing criminal damage following an incident at The Bridge pub, Barnes on October 28th last year.

Karen Elias, prosecuting, said that Hadj-Lakehal had been in conversation with other customers, and later that night was seen dozing. He became agitated when the landlady asked him to leave as he could not find his bag.

At 11pm she heard someone banging on the pub door. She went to investigate at the outer door, pulling the inner door behind her. Hadj-Lakehal then stepped through the outer door, carrying a five foot long metal pole. He pulled a knife, and started to bang it against the pole, saying that he was going to kill her.

She was pulled inside the pub to safety by people who were still there, and the outer door was secured behind her.

Plain clothes police officers who observed the incident said that the people in the pub were visibly distressed, and the landlady was terrified.

Policemen with dogs began a search and a hammer, knife, and the metal pole were found in the pub garden, and Hadj-Lakehal was captured.

He had also caused £412 of damage to a Mercedes in Admiral Terrace, by striking it on the bonnet with the pole.

In interviews he said he didn't mean to harm anyone, and denied the threats to kill.

Edward Caute, defending, said that this was an inexcusable offence, aggravated by his previous record. He said that since September 11th Hadj-Lakehal and his wife had received some harassment from members of the public in the street, one of these people was present in the pub before the incident.

He said: Hadj-Lakehal was making a show of defiance after the way he felt he had been treated shortly before he left the pub.

His wife is pregnant and he needs to support his family.''

The chairman of the bench told the court that she had seriously considered a custodial sentence, but sentenced him to a combination order, consisting of an 18 month community rehabilitation order, 120 hours of community service and enrolment on a think first programme.'

He was also ordered to pay £412.70 compensation for the damage to the car, and £55 costs.