INQUIRY - The Birch & Pines pub in Dartmouth Avenue

A POPULAR Sheerwater pub landlord found dead after an alleged assault died of a heart condition, a post mortem has revealed.

Mick Clark, 58, was discovered on Thursday morning hours after police were called to The Birch & Pines pub in Dartmouth Avenue after reports of a fight in the bar.

A police spokeswoman said a 22-year-old man remains in custody in relation to an alleged fight.

Police were initially called to the property at 1.30am on Thursday after an alleged assault on Mr Clark by a patron.

Paramedics treated Mr Clark at the scene but he declined to go to hospital.

At 12.27pm Police received a second call to learn that Mr Clark had passed away during the night.

Eye witness James Broadfoot, who has already given a statement to police, said: “I tried to stop them. They had a couple of scuffles behind the bar and the police were called. There is always trouble at that place.

“I went in there yesterday to see him and couldn’t believe it.”