Man banned from every pub in Padiham

6:16pm Tuesday 13th May 2008

Comments (5)   Have your say »

A MAN who smashed a plaster's jaw in an unprovoked attack has been banned from every pub in Padiham after judge told him he could not handle his drink.

Victim Craig Duckworth was left in excrutiating pain after he was attacked by Brendan Morris, 25, who he had known for some time and was "having a laugh with."

Morris, who was so drunk he could not remember the incident, set about Mr Duckworth like " a wild animal", Burnley Crown Court heard.

The victim, who is self employed, had to have surgery, was unable to work and now faces further problems with his neck, the court was told.

Morris, from Padiham, but who now lives at Partington Street, Castleton, Rochdale, had later handed himself in at Burnley Police Station.

The defendant, currently working in Accrington, had earlier admitted causing grievous bodily harm, last September.

Sentencing, Recorder Anthony Cross, QC, said the fact Morris went to the police station had probably saved him from prison.

The judge said the defendant could not take his ale and the sooner he understood that the better it would be for him.

He said he was going to take a chance on him, but added the victim deserved compensation and if he had any sense, would sue Morris.

The defendant was given nine months in jail, suspended for 18 months, and was given a two-year exclusion order, banning him from every pub in the borough of Padiham.

He must also pay £2,500 compensation.

Sarah Statham, prosecuting, said Mr Duckworth was out with his girlfriend and family, had had three pints and was not drunk. He was talking to the defendant and all of a sudden, without provocation, Morris punched him and he fell backwards.

The victim's girlfriend picked him up, he was bleeding from the mouth and felt his teeth were out of line.

Mr Duckworth did not make any complaint that night but the next morning awoke at 4am in excrutiating pain and with the left side of his face swollen up. Mr Duckworth was taken to hospital where an X-ray revealed a fracture to his left jawbone. He underwent surgery to have a metal plate fitted.

Miss Statham said the defendant later turned up at Burnley police station and after his arrest, asked : "He's my mate. Can you ring the hospital and see how he is ?"

The prosecutor added the defendant had a previous conviction for assault causing actual bodily harm, from when he was 16 and had struck his employer in an altercation.

Philip Holden, defending, said at the time Morris had been estranged from his partner and their child and had been drinking up to 16 cans of lager a day.

He said the defendant's behaviour had been out of character although the victim suffered serious consequences.