Fireman to quit after Winnie-the-Pooh assault

A firefighter who fractured a colleague’s skull with a Winnie-the-Pooh mug has been ordered to resign after a disciplinary hearing, it emerged today.

West Midlands Fire Service said Michael Andrew Mole had been required to resign from the brigade last night after facing a disciplinary panel headed by its Chief Fire Officer, Ken Knight.

Mole, 41, walked free from Birmingham Crown Court earlier this year after Recorder Peter Andrews QC decided to ‘‘draw back’’ from imposing a sentence of custody because of various factors, including the fireman’s previous good character.

‘‘Following the hearing, Firefighter Mole has been required to resign from the service subject to an appeal to the fire authority,’’ a brigade spokesman said.

Mole, who was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm last November, was sentenced to 240 hours community service and told to pay his victim, Peter Talbot, £2,000 in compensation.

The court heard that Mole, of Elm Terrace, Tividale, West Midlands, launched the attack in September 2000 during a dispute with Mr Talbot at Cradley Heath fire station over who should answer the telephone.

Recorder Andrews said that Mole would have been jailed for a substantial period had he not been cleared of the more serious charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

The judge said he was satisfied that Mole was a highly-regarded firefighter, adding that the offence had been a momentary loss of control committed in the context of a ‘‘demanding and stressful’’ work environment.

The court was told that Mr Talbot suffered bruising to the brain in the incident, triggering psychological effects which have inhibited his everyday life.