Pat "Black Flash" Barrett jailed for three years

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 20 Mar 2004, 18:54

Pat Barrett has been jailed after being found with a loaded pistol in a hotel room.
Father-of-two Barrett, 36, was caught by police in the Express Holiday Inn in Chingford after a tip-off.
Armed officers raided his room in February last year and found 1.55 grams of heroin, .293 grams of cannabis and a modified revolver with five live rounds.
Barrett, of Oldham, is a former British and European light-welterweight champion who once trained with Sugar Ray Leonard in the States.
He had been staying at the hotel before attending a funeral the next day.
The boxer denied all knowledge of the gun, ammunition and drugs and told police he had been set up.
But he was convicted after a trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court.
He was jailed for three years for possessing a firearm without a licence and given a consecutive three-month term for having ammunition.
Brian Hughes, his former trainer said: "Patrick was good enough to be world champion. It was just bad luck that stopped him.
"He was the undefeated British and European champion. He was a leading light in the sport and he is a wonderful man.
"This is totally out of character for him. He has been doing a great job training our young boxers at the Collyhurst club."
No explanation was given in court why Barrett had the gun.
Recorder Jo Boothby said: "I'm sure you have many good qualities but you were caught in a hotel room with a gun and a quantity of heroin.
"Gun and drug culture have become totally unacceptable and possession of a loaded gun attracts a serious prison sentence.
"You put forward a very foolish defence at trial and you were convicted."
Barrett gave a thumbs up to friends and young boxing protegees as he was led away to begin his sentence.

Twinkle Toes · Post by **Twinkle Toes** » 20 Mar 2004, 21:13

Sheesh! what can ya say.

I loved watching Pat Barrett. Dynamic, and he threw punches with ferocious intent.

Yet other times, he seemed to totally lack any focus, and just went through the motions.

Why did he retire at 26? I cant remember.

Deserter · Post by **Deserter** » 21 Mar 2004, 05:02

Pat Barrett was an exciting banger but didn't have that extra dimension to succeed at the highest level.
Have heard a few dodgy stories about his 'private' life though...so wasn't that shocked to read this.
Am I right in thinking that Gomez and Ensley Bingham have been linked with various gangs in Manchester in the past? Seems like one tough, old city...certainly not the Manchester I saw in Cold Feet!

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 21 Mar 2004, 06:56

Well I'm shocked, I remember watching Pat fight on TV (when I should have been doing my homework!), I seem to remember at one point on the front page of Boxing News that there was talk of Pat fighting Chavez.

But if you mess with guns and drugs, it's of to the Big House with you, as far as I'm concerned.

TerribleTerry · Post by **TerribleTerry** » 21 Mar 2004, 07:20

Shocking news. As has already been said, watching Barret knock people cold on the beeb was part of my youth, he was my favourite fighter as a kid.

The weed they caught him with was a frankly tiny amount, but where did the brown and gun come from? Sad day for Manchester boxing. :(

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 21 Mar 2004, 08:05

Big shame. I remember Barrett icing some unbeaten Italian for the European title on his own patch which not many of our guys do.

The first fight I ever attended was Dave Mcauley - Duke McKenzie at Wembley Arena and Barrett was on that card, flattened someone impressively then too.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 21 Mar 2004, 09:56

He'll be out on a tag by Christmas.
All the reports about Barrett being heavily involved in the Manchester gangland scene look correct then. Only a true gangster gives the thumbs up to friends when he's being led away to the cells. Bad man.