South Yorkshire man glassed his childhood friend when he suggested having a threesome with his girlfriend

Robert Coulthard was out drinking with his victim on March 14 this year as part of birthday celebrations when the incident happened at around 11.30pm, Sheffield Crown Court heard on Thursday, December 17.

The victim had been in a brief relationship with Coulthard’s partner prior to them getting together and had spoken to other friends about his displeasure at the new relationship, the court heard.

Coulthard, 29, of Hallam Close, Barnsley, admitted wounding with intent at an earlier hearing at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court.

Prosecuting, Matthew Burdon said the victim had needed 33 stitches to his cheek and had been left with significant scarring.

He said: “They had gone out drinking together to celebrate the defendant’s birthday in pubs and bars around Barnsley town centre and eventually ended up in 00Bar, where they were joined by the defendant’s girlfriend. The complainant made some sexual remarks and suggested they had a threesome.

“He realised that the defendant didn’t find this funny and he apologised. At around 11.30pm they went out for a cigarette and the victim continued to apologise, the the defendant told him that after that night they would no longer be friends.”

Coulthard that snatched a half-pint glass his girlfriend was holding and smashed it into the victim’s face, Mr Burdon said.

“The victim said he couldn’t believe that he had done this to him because they had been friends for such a long time,” Mr Durdon added. “He said he didn’t want to see Coulthard again, but he didn’t want him to go to prison. In interview, the defendant said everything had just built up, and he snapped.”

Mitigating, Amy Earnshaw said: “They had been friends for around 15 to 20 years - they had lived together and they had worked together at McDonalds and there had been a short relationship between the complainant and the defendant’s partner.

“They then started a relationship, which was a serious relationship and they have an 18-month-old child together. This has had a devastating effect on two lives - he never intended to hurt his friend and he’s demonstrated deep remorse. He’s lost the strong friendship with the complainant, he lost his employment and, as a result of this incident, his relationship deteriorated because he started drinking heavily and they are no longer together. He’s lost everything because of that split snap of temper back in March.”

She added that Coulthard was now living with his sister and had found new employment with the Taco Bell chain.

Judge Rachael Harrison said that the offence crossed the custody threshold but pulled back from the 16 months Coulthard would have been given as a prison sentence.

Instead, she issued a two-year community order to include 250 hours of unpaid work and ordered him to pay £500 in compensation, but told him he would be jailed if he appeared before her again.

Sentencing him, she said: “You used a glass - that is a weapon. I accept comments were made, but what you should have done is just walk away.”

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