Bar owner pulled out knife - and then police made a startling discovery in the back room

A bar boss "played the part of a 1950s Mafioso" as he threatened violence against those suspected of disrespecting him - including a terrifying knife incident. Edmond Borici, former owner of a Nuneaton cocktail bar, has now been jailed for his criminal activities behind the venue.

Officers were alerted via 999 to a disturbance at Borici's bar on Bond Gate at around 1.20am on August 9 last year. A man told officers the 45-year-old owner had threatened him with a knife, and that he was having to defend himself with a beer barrel.

A search of the as-yet unopened bar then unveiled £50k of cocaine in a storeroom. CCTV footage showed Borici holding a knife during an altercation with the victim. Speaking as Borici was jailed for his crimes, Investigating officer DC Williams said: “Borici seemed to think he could play the part of a 1950s Mafioso, obscuring his criminal activities behind a bar, threatening violence against people he believed had disrespected him.

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“We are very happy to let him know that’s not something we are going to accept on the streets of 21 ^st century Nuneaton.” Police had arrived at the bar to find Borici and the man having a "loud verbal altercation" outside.

Borici was arrested at the scene on suspicion of threatening a person with a bladed article. Police said a search of the bar's rear storeroom revealed a blue bag containing multiple other bags with 509g of cocaine inside, a street value of around £50,000.

A second bag was discovered with an additional 17g of cocaine in a hired BMW parked outside the premises. And, on the back seat, police found a letter addressed to Borici.

CCTV footage later reviewed by police showed Borici exiting the BMW earlier in the evening. It also captured the altercation between Borici and the victim, during which "the victim held a door shut to prevent Borici – who was holding a knife – from getting to him outside."

Borici was sentenced this week to 15 months in prison for affray, possession of cocaine with intent to supply, and possession of a pointed article in a public place. Borici, of Bettina Close in Nuneaton, is also required to pay a victims’ surcharge of £187, as well as £1,785 in a forfeiture order under Section 27 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.