By Victim left in ‘constant’ pain after ‘terrifying’ random attack
A man was beaten unconscious by a violent ‘thug’ after being accused of ‘hitting on’ the woman with him, in a Scunthorpe pub.
Joseph Sweeney, 30, appeared at Grimsby Crown Court, pleading guilty to one count of assault causing actual bodily harm, following the incident that took place on July 1, 2020, at the Lord Roberts pub, on Wells Street. The attack left the victim in ‘constant’ pain.
Prosecuting, Benjamin Hammersley told the court that at around 5 pm on the day of the incident, the victim’s friends left the establishment, leaving the man alone at the table. A woman Sweeney was seen with, went over to the table to converse with the man, and then returned to her table.
The court then heard the defendant accused the victim of ‘hitting on the woman and followed him to the nearby Crosby Road, after exiting the premises. Mr. Sweeney proceeded to grapple with the victim after grabbing hold of him, then dragged him to the floor where Sweeney, and the man he was with, started to kick and punch the man repeatedly on the floor.
Mr. Sweeney is then understood to have kicked the man ‘one last time’ leaving him unconscious in the street. A victim statement left by Mr. Hammersley said: “Since this incident, I have been left in constant pain.”
“I am on painkillers throughout the day. I can’t see my daughter so as not to scare her. My nine-year-old son passed away a month ago which has been difficult for me and my daughter to cope with. I have anxiety and depression. I am scared I will see this man again and I’m scared of what he might do.”
Mitigating, Benjamin Donnell said: “This defendant is remorseful and disgusted by his actions. He accepts himself that on the evening in question he has no clear recollection of assaulting the complainant in this case.
“This defendant clearly is remorseful and apologetic. He knows what he did was very serious.
“He has seen the injury photographs and he has to live with the fact that he caused that to a member of the public for no reason whatsoever. It was a moment of stupidity that was out of character.
“He was in a very bad way and drinking very heavily. He tells me he will do whatever it takes to prove not only to Your Honour but to the court and to society that he can live a law-abiding lifestyle.”
Sentencing Sweeney, Judge Michael Fanning said: “Although you have been before the court four times, there has been nothing like this. This was a random street attack.
“You have an issue with drinking which you have failed to address. You must see, as I do, how terrifying this sort of violence is – to law-abiding members of the public who just want to go to the pub.”
Sweeney was sentenced to one year and two months’ imprisonment and is required to serve half.
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