'Metric Martyr' on brawl charge "METRIC Martyr" Steven Thoburn has been arrested and charged following an alleged pub brawl. The fruit-and-veg seller, who has made the headlines internationally, was due in court today for a resumed hearing after he was charged with failing to use officially approved scales. But the Echo can reveal today he is also listed to appear before Sunderland magistrates tomorrow, alongside his wife Leigh, charged after a fight in the city. They will face charges of causing harassment, alarm and distress following an alleged fight at the Harbour View pub, in Benedict Road, Roker, at the weekend. During the scuffle, which spilled out into the street, it is claimed a pregnant woman was assaulted. Police arrested Mr Thoburn, 36, and mum-of-two Leigh, 27, both of Association Road, Roker, on Sunday night following reports of a disturbance at the pub. Two other customers have been cautioned for their part in the brawl and another person has been bailed until next week, pending further inquiries. In the scales case, justice was delayed yesterday � when the man in charge failed to turn up. While defence and prosecution teams gathered in court, District Judge John Morgan was nowhere to be seen. Calls to his base at Birmingham Court showed he was due to be in Sunderland � but he was eventually traced to a court in Walsall. The case has been rescheduled to start today and continue through tomorrow. Sunderland City Council is prosecuting Mr Thoburn for failing to use officially-approved scales. He denies two charges. The case started last month, but the three days for which it was listed turned out not to be enough and it resumed this morning. -- Chris KEENAN UK Metrication Association: http://www.metric.org.uk/ UK Correspondent, US Metric Association
