A soldier who repeatedly punched his friend in the face after arguing over a £20 note has avoided jail.
Paul Davies, 29, was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm.
The court heard that Davies assaulted his friend Carl Lloyd at a house party in Rhydyfelin, Pontypridd , on December 18 last year.
Prosecutor Nicholas Jones said: “The defendant was drinking and asked to leave the party with his friend following him outside.
“For some reason unknown to anybody, but later seemed to involve an argument over £20, the defendant started punching Mr Lloyd to the face.
“There was a flurry of punches which Mr Lloyd thought lasted for a minute.
“He said ‘Stop punching me or you’re going to knock me out’ but the defendant continued punching him, causing considerable pain, and then walked off.”
'There can’t be any excuse for going out, drinking to excess, and attacking a woman' When a woman refused to high-five him on a night out this soldier bottled her
'Out of shape'
Mr Lloyd went home but woke up his housemate in the early hours of the morning.
His jaw was described as “out of shape” and he couldn’t talk properly so he was taken to hospital.
Injuries sustained in the attack included swelling to his left temple, a split to his lower gum, and an X-ray revealed a fracture to the lower jaw on the right side.
On December 19 Mr Lloyd was transferred to the Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfilwhere he received an operation to put metal plates into his jaw.
'What happened beggars belief' Two squaddies jailed for more than 15 years for 'chilling and sadistic attack' on disabled teenagers
Davies was later arrested and officers noticed an injury to the knuckles on his right hand.
Having served in the Army in Iraq Davies was described as an “excellent soldier” who was “well thought of” by those above him in rank.
The defendant and Mr Lloyd were described as “good friends” with the only explanation for Davies’ behaviour being that he had consumed a “large amount” of alcohol.
During the period of the offence Davies, who now works at a builders’ merchants, was described as drinking 10 pints of lager on a daily basis but has now cut this down to drinking eight pints on a Saturday.
'You don't know what I'm capable of' Used car dealer who sold written-off vehicles threatened to kill couple when they complained
Ongoing pain
Sentencing, Recorder Peter Rouch QC said: “Why it was you attacked your friend in this way is probably down to drink but you attacked him in the way you did and he sustained very serious injuries.
“He suffered a broken jaw causing a great deal of pain and necessitated surgery.
“Your ex-friend had to undergo surgery under general anaesthetic and he still feels pain in his jaw.
“The only appropriate sentence is one of custody but in your case I think I can suspend it.
“If you reoffend in this way in the future any court or judge will take note of your appearance hearing and the sentence I am imposing.”
Davies, of Meadow Rise, Brynna, Llanharan, was given a 12-month prison sentence suspended for 21 months.
He was also ordered to carry out 150 hours unpaid work and to pay a compensation order of £2,500.
see-http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/soldier-punched-friend-face-repeatedly-11228600
No comments:
Post a Comment