Woman’s ‘life ruined’ after being framed for assault by pub staff who called her ‘crazy lesbian’, court told

A woman told a court her life has been ruined by pub staff who, she alleges, called her a “crazy lesbian” and falsely accused her of assault.

Karen West, 42, was found not guilty of assaulting an off-duty manager at The Boater pub in Bath pub on Wednesday (16 June), the Bristol Post reported.

She had been accused of trying to knee the manager in the face, grabbing her jumper and pulling her outside in an incident last February.

However, West told Bristol Crown Court that she was innocent of any wrongdoing and was only in court because of fabricated events.

The prosecution alleged in court that West was abusive to staff and customers at the pub, and that after the off-duty manager, Rosemary Loft, asked her to leave, she bent down to lift a catch on the door only for West to try to knee her.

It was claimed West caused the pair to fall, leaving Loft with a knee injury, and that she threatened staff with a fork.

West denied all claims, insisting that she was the victim in the situation. She told the court: “I was not rude to bar staff. They called me a crazy lesbian – that’s why I called the police.

According to Somerset Live, West said she was waiting for police to arrive after being told to leave the premises. As she was waiting, she claimed, the manager invaded her “personal space”.

“I wanted to stay on the door and wait for the police,” West said. “I had no need to go back in the pub.”

She continued: “I didn’t try to knee her to the face. I didn’t grab hold of her jumper, I grabbed out at anything to stop me from flying backwards.

“I didn’t pull her down on the ground. I didn’t try to punch her. There was no intent and no malice.”

She told the jury that the case is “ruining my life on the basis of lies”. West added: “I can’t get over it – I’m sorry.”

• Nov 29 2023

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