By Jim Clark

Police were dispatched to PJ Ryan’s Pub on Holland St. last Sunday at approximately 1:00 a.m. on reports of a large fight in progress at that location.

Upon arrival, police saw a man lying in the street, bleeding from his face. The man, later identified as David Leccese, 32, of Wilmington, was being tended to by his friend.

Witnesses reportedly told officers that Leccese and his companion had started the trouble inside the club and continued out into the street.

The Leutenant of the Somerville Fire Department’s Teele Square Station, across the street from the bar, was on the scene and reportedly told police that he had heard the commotion and came outside to see what was happening. He said that a 65-year-old retired firefighter had been punched, police said, and he was observed lying motionless near the curb, being tended to by firefighters until an ambulance arrived.

Leccese reportedly cursed at police as they approached him for questioning, as he did with the crowd that had gathered on the street, stopping vehicular traffic in both directions.

According to reports, police repeatedly tried to calm Leccese down, but he continued to make abusive and threatening remarks directed at everyone in the vicinity.

Witnesses reportedly told officers that Leccese and his friend had been cut off from being served any more alcohol by the staff at PJ Ryan’s because they were too intoxicated. The men were reportedly behaving abusively towards patrons in the bar and were eventually removed from the premises, which precipitated the fight that ensued. Both security staff and patrons became involved in the scuffle.

Leccese refused to cooperate with police and continued to behave abusively, at one point rising from the ground in an apparent attempt to assault the victim who was being treated a short distance away.

Police detained and handcuffed Leccese, in spite of him struggling to break away and taking swings at the officers. He reportedly continued hurling threats and insults at the officers and the crowd, and began spitting blood at them. A safety breathing mask was put on him in order to protect the officers and the onlookers.

Leccese was eventually placed into a transport vehicle and taken away for booking. He has been charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and assault and battery on a person over 60.