Accrington student felled by one punch (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Accrington student felled by one punch

7:00pm Friday 26th October 2012 in News

A STUDENT was left needing three metal plates in his jaw after being attacked on New Year’s Day in Accrington.

Victim Nathan Burgess, 18, was involved in an argument with a man outside the Bee’s Knees pub when he was felled by a single punch from Lee Thompson, Burnley Crown Court was told.

Thompson claims Mr Burgess was arguing with a brother, while holding a bottle outside the bar, and he feared his sibling was going to be attacked.

Mr Burgess recalled little about the incident, the court heard, in which he suffered a broken jaw in two places and underwent an operation to have three metal plates and 12 retaining screws fitted to heal the injury.

Thompson, who had a number of convictions for violence, including for battery against his then-partner Naomi Bolton in 2011, was arrested and charged over the attack.

And while on bail, wearing an electronic tag, he came to the attention of police again when he failed to abide by a 9pm curfew, said prosecutor John Hargan. when he returned home late and drunk with his girlfriend.

Thompson, 23, of Wordsworth Close, Oswaldtwistle, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm and affray.

He was given an 18-month supervision order with a nine-month alcohol treatment requirement.