Punters flee pub after chemical attack left drinker screaming four words (2025)

Stevan Newton squirted so much ammonia at three men in the toilet area of a North Tyneside pub, there was a puddle of it on the floor and a number of people were left in pain

A Tyneside pub was thrown into chaos after a vicious chemical onslaught which had customers crying out in agony, as one man shrieked in horror: "My eyes, my eyes".

In a frenzied attack at the North Tyneside watering hole, Stevan Newton unleashed such copious amounts of ammonia in the gents toilet that it gathered in pools on the floor, leaving punters with searing eye pain and bouts of sickness. Newcastle Crown Court heard how one victim endured burns to his eyes and cheek from the caustic liquid.

The alarm was raised near midnight on Saturday, December 7, last year when police were alerted to mass discomfort at the Duke of York pub in Wallsend, as patrons rubbed their eyes and succumbed to nausea.

Chilling CCTV captured the moment Newton stormed into the toilet area and sprayed ammonia directly at three men. The main victim's distress was palpable as he exited the establishment clutching his face and bellowing "my eyes, my eyes" in sheer anguish.

The afflicted man's partner recounted his "red raw" eyes streaming with tears while he also vomited and trembled uncontrollably, the court was told.

The savage assault impacted others too, with many seen cradling their faces and retching helplessly. With about 50 customers present, the fiasco forced an early shutdown and evacuation of the venue.

Court attendees saw video evidence of Newton performing two aggressive actions with the ammonia bottle. Prosecutor Mairi Clancy detailed: "There was such a quantity of it, it could be seen in a puddle afterwards. Numerous other people were rubbing their eyes. Nine or 10 people were struggling and in distress."

The primary victim was rushed to hospital with burns to his eyes and cheek. His eyes were thoroughly rinsed, and he had a small inflamed patch on his cheek.

A pub manager expressed that the attack was a devastating blow to the business and endangered customers. The motive behind the assault remains unclear, but Newton suggested it was an act of revenge.

On December 11, when police attempted to arrest 32 year old Newton from Ensin Street, Walker, Newcastle at his residence, he fled into nearby woodland. Officers tried to taser him twice, but to no avail.

Upon his arrest, Newton was found in possession of 6.8g of cocaine and 1.8 kilos of cannabis. However, prosecutors accepted his pleas of simple possession of the drugs.

He also confessed to applying a corrosive fluid with intent and was sentenced to 54 months in prison with an extended licence period of an additional 30 months after a judge determined he poses a significant risk to the public. A lifelong restraining order was also issued, prohibiting him from visiting the Duke of York pub.

Defence lawyer Callum McNicholas stated that Newton, who has 61 previous convictions, endured a traumatic childhood leading to long-term issues with drugs and alcohol. He added that Newton holds a trusted position in the prison kitchen and oversees the caterers on his wing.

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