Suspended jail term for pub assault on stranger

A man headbutted an innocent stranger in a pub while under the influence of alcohol and cocaine, a court was told.

Lee Robinson, 28, Moorhouse Fold Road, Milnrow, then threatened to attack his victim’s girlfriend when she asked him why he had acted so aggressively.

When interviewed by police after being arrested, Robinson said he had no recollection of what had happened inside Marston’s Tavern in Royton.

Mark Billingham, the man he attacked, suffered a fractured nose, which had to be straightened under anaesthetic. One of his teeth was also chipped.

Sentencing Robinson at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court, Judge Bernard Lever told him: “This was a disgraceful incident.

“You were self medicating on alcohol and cocaine on this night because of emotional difficulties. That may explain what happened, but does not excuse it.”

Alistair Fitzgerald, prosecuting, said Mr Billingham, along with his girlfriend and other friends had gone into the tavern on Saturday 24 July 2010, for a social drink.

When they decided it was time to leave, Robinson made a remark as they passed him, which his victim did not clearly hear, but was prepared to shrug off.

Without warning, Robinson then head-butted him, and when asked for an explanation he simply smiled.

His victim was said to have been given no warning of the unprovoked attack, and no time to avoid the assault.

Outside the pub a few minutes later, Robinson was challenged by Mr Billingham’s girlfriend, and immediately threw his jacket on the ground, and challenged her: “Come on then”.

The court was told that Robinson has a previous conviction for a public-order incident also involving a dispute in a pub.

Jaime Hamilton, defending, said the incident was out of character, and during the considerable time it took to bring the case to court, he had kept out of trouble.

“The incident happened at a point of his life when he was suffering from a great deal of stress and anxiety, which led to his life being less stable” he said.

He said Robinson’s marriage had broken down, though he and his wife were now reunited, adding: “He is a different man today.”

Robinson pleaded guilty to a single offence of assault causing actual bodily harm.

Sentencing him to nine months in prison, Judge Lever told him he felt able to suspend the term for a period of two years, but he ordered him to carry out 150 hours unpaid work in the community, pay £1,000 compensation to his victim, and £500 towards legal costs.