Cumbria,south Wales - Man who attacked man with a bottle spared jail

 October 26, 2015

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A FORMER soldier who carried out an horrific bottle attack on a man inside a nightclub has been spared immediate jail.

Michael Little, aged 30, was drunk in the Attic nightspot at Carlisle, Cumbria, on August 3 last year when he lashed out at Kieron Sewell.

Little, of Bryn Parc, Morriston, was said to have been holding a glass bottle when he delivered one punch to Mr Sewell, who was left with a 10cm gash to his face. The victim was treated in hospital, where the bleeding wound was stapled.

Little, who served in the Army before an honourable discharge, admitted unlawful wounding and was sentenced on Friday October 23 at Carlisle Crown Court.

He was given a two-year prison sentence but this was suspended for 24 months. Little must also undergo supervision for 18 months and comply with an alcohol treatment requirement.

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He was banned from all licensed premises for a year and has to pay Mr. Sewell £500 compensation.

CCTV footage played in court showed Little "lunging" towards his victim who, only moments, earlier, had been punched by Little's friend.

Kim Whittlestone, prosecuting, said Mr. Sewell's deep cut "extended from his right ear to his right eyebrow and an underlying bone was exposed".

However, further enquiries revealed that staples inserted at the time had been removed and the cut was healing well.

Although he provided a statement about the incident, the victim made it clear to police that he would not co-operate with any prosecution.

The court heard Little had some previous criminal convictions but none for violence.

Nigel Beeson, defending, conceded that Little was "too drunk to give an accurate description" of how the incident occurred.

"He was clearly seen to be in a highly intoxicated state and was almost falling down the stairs of the establishment," said Mr. Beeson.

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Now a steel worker, Little was supported in court by his mother and sister, and also had the backing of his partner.

Having seen service in Iraq and Afghanistan during almost a decade in the Army, Little was discharged due to physical and mental ill health.

But Mr. Beeson said: "He is doing his absolute best to get himself back on his feet. He does feel remorse and empathy with the victim, and does feel sick when he looks at the photographs (of Mr Sewell's injury).

Recorder Kevin Grice concluded that he could suspend the prison sentence. He accepted that Little had not deliberately used the weapon in the attack.

"But strike Mr. Sewell with the bottle you did," said the judge. "The consequences were serious."

Read more: http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/soldier-attacked-man-bottle-spare-jail/story-28050335-detail/story.html#ixzz3pgkliAc0 
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