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Spilled beer led to attack in bar
The victim of an unprovoked attack in a Doncaster night spot is to receive £500 compensation for a fractured cheekbone suffered in a row over spilled beer.
Scott Andrew Jones walked free from Doncaster Crown Court with a suspended prison sentence so he could recompense Karl Hunton, aged 31, for his suffering after the incident in Hogan’s bar in Silver Street last October.
Mr Hunston was celebrating a friend’s birthday but was not drunk when trouble flared, said Carl Fitch, prosecuting.
The victim saw a member of staff clearing up a drinks spillage and jokingly pointed out ‘you’ve missed a bit there’.
Jones, 28, then butted in, said the member of staff ‘was only doing his job’ and punched Mr Hunston in the face near his right eye.
When he went to hospital it was found he had a fractured cheekbone as well as a cut to the eye.
After his arrest Jones, of Burden Road, Hexthorpe, fully accepted striking his victim and said he had been drinking since 5pm.
He said he thought the complainant had thrown beer on his shirt.
The court was told Jones, who pleaded guilty to wounding, had seven previous convictions including affray, threatening behaviour and assault when he hit a club steward.
Defence solicitor Cedric Hennis told the court: “The defendant was in drink and reacted entirely wrongly and wishes to make compensation.”
He said Jones was a family man anxious to fulfil his responsibilities which he would not be able to do if he was imprisoned.
“He appreciates the court will say the custody threshold has been passed but hopes the court can hold back and suspend the sentence. He is aware it would be a lenient one but would give him a chance to pay compensation.”
Recorder Alistair MacDonald, QC, said Jones had come ‘perilously close’ to being jailed but he suspended the 12 months sentence and imposed 100 hours of unpaid work as well as the £500 compensation.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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