Last updated at 08:42, Tuesday, 11 December 2012

A MAN who assaulted two men in the toilets of an Ulverston pub has been given a suspended jail term - with a four months long curfew to keep him out of drinking spots over the festive period.

Jamie Halligan was told by a judge at Preston Crown Court "I think you are a danger with alcohol inside you when you are in public houses, when your brute strength takes over".

Judge Michael Byrne sentenced the twenty three year old to forty four weeks prison, suspended for two years, with twelve months supervision. The four months long curfew will run from 8pm-8am each night. The case related to events at the Sun Inn pub in the early hours of April 21st this year.

The defendant of Brewery Street, Barrow had been committed by magistrates to the higher court, having admitted one offence of assault
occasioning actual bodily harm and another of common assault. CCTV footage from inside the pub was played in court.

Mr Michael Murray, prosecuting, said a man called Wayne Fleming was having a night out with his brother-in-law. The brother-in-law went into the gents toilets and ended up in an argument with Halligan.

Mr Fleming tried to calm things down and was punched to the head. Mr Fleming fell to the ground and was kicked several times to the head and face - the prosecution said others may have been involved in that.

He ended up with a cut upper lip, two lumps to the back of his head and bruised elbows. That was the common assault.

The other man assaulted, Simon Beddoes, had tried to stop the fight, but was punched to the face.

Mr Murray added "The defendant said something about him ruling the world, or some other nonsensical thing".

Mr Beddoes was then punched again as he was leaving the lavatories.

He ended up with a fractured nose. The defendant apparently handed himself in later.

Mr Richard Bennett, defending, said his client had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

"There seems to have been a deal of provocation, a lack of pre-meditation and almost an excessive use of self defence", said the
barrister.

"He didn't enter the toilets for the purpose of a fight. It was in an entirely non confrontational manner.
"Mr Fleming was approaching the defendant, who was backing off and putting his arms up largely in a conciliatory gesture. At some point when the grappling started, the defendant had clearly attempted to push Mr Fleming away.

"He says Mr Fleming was recognised by the defendant as one of a group of people who at an earlier stage had been insulting to him and a friend.".

Mr Bennett said Halligan suggested there had been some degree of provocation from Mr Beddoes.

"The defendant accepts punching him and causing a broken nose. The defendant says he wasn't involved in kicking."

First published at 17:23, Monday, 10 December 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk