TROUBLED city pub the  Flying Horse is closed after  thugs wrecked the premises  and threatened a barman.

The member of staff was  grabbed and locked in the  pub’s toilets for two hours  during the attack.

And  regulars were forced  to flee the pub, in Dryden  Road, Wonford, as three men  stormed the building and  smashed up its contents.

A witness claims two of  the men covered the barman’s head before imprisoning him in the toilets.

 The trio then ripped out  the property’s plumbing and  piping then left.

Police have launched an   investigation into the incident, which happened at  around 11.15pm on Sunday,  January 31, and  are appealing for any witnesses to contact them.

One regular, who wished  to remain anonymous for  fear of reprisals, told the  Echo: “The place was completely smashed up and the  barman was tied up and  locked in the toilets for two  hours before he freed himself. He had a bag put over  his head and is in a bad way  with nerves now.

“There were quite a few  people in the pub at the time.  Everyone  ran for their  lives.”

The pub’s future had been  in question following a number of incidents.

Police said it had been a  haunt for drugs and anti-social behaviour since September 2008. They carried out  raids in August and September last year after neighbours made several complaints to them and the city  council.

And it was recently subject to a licensing review  where new landlord Andrew  Martin pledged to clean up  the pub’s image and waged a  ‘get tough’ campaign on  drug-taking and anti-social  behaviour.

The Echo understands Mr  Martin has since left the Flying Horse.

The pub has displayed a  sign on its door saying it is  closed until further notice.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Emily  Sheppard said many witnesses were too afraid to contact police. But officers  would offer those who did  come forward as much protection as possible.

“During the incident, a  man was over-powered and  made to fear for his safety,”  she said. “I would like to  appeal to anyone who witnessed anything to come forward. I know people are  scared but if they can tell us  what happened, then we will  try to protect the.

“It is genuine fear and we  understand that, but in order  for us to get these people out  of the public’s way, we need  people to speak to us.”

A spokesman for Punch  Taverns, which owns the  Flying Horse, said: “We are  fully cooperating with the  police investigation and cannot comment further at this  stage.”

Three men, aged 23, 25 and  37, from the Exeter area,  have been arrested on suspicion of burglary in connection with the incident.  The 25-year-old and  23-year-old were also arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment. All three have  been given police bail until  Thursday, April 8, pending  further enquiries.

Anyone with any information can call Det Con Sheppard on 08452 777444 quoting  crime reference DE/10/1030  or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.