A MAN who launched an unprovoked attack on a customer in Neath Workingmen's Club and then did "triumphant laps" around the dance floor has been sent to jail — after coming back from holiday.
Damien Thomas' sentencing for inflicting grievous bodily harm had been adjourned while he went on a pre-booked family holiday.
Swansea Crown Court heard that Thomas was extremely drunk and "looking for trouble" when, without warning, he punched his victim from behind before following up the initial blow with a series of further punches.
The court heard the victim - who was just about to get married - suffered a fractured cheek in the incident, and later needed surgery.
Thomas fled the Wind Street club but was found by police a short time later near Neath railway station.
Thomas, aged 26, of South Avenue, Croeserw, had previously been found guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm following a trial when he appeared in the dock for sentencing.
Carina Hughes, for Thomas, said the dad-of-three was currently a stay-at-home father while his partner worked full-time as a nursery nurse. She said any period of imprisonment would impact not just on the defendant but on the family too — but that he had only himself to blame.
She added Thomas felt "a great deal of guilt and remorse" for what he had done.
The court heard the sentencing hearing had been adjourned from an earlier date to Williams could go on holiday — at the earlier hearing the defendant had had to produce an airline boarding pass to prove the trip was booked.
Judge Paul Thomas QC told Williams his drunken behaviour on the night in question had been completely out of control.
He said: "Put simply, you were looking for trouble.
"You punched your victim from behind for no reason what-so-ever. To use his words — it was cowardly and unprovoked.
"After that you did laps of the dance floor, almost as if you were in triumph."
The judge added that the attack on the groom-to-be "no doubt cast a great shadow over his wedding day".
Williams was sentenced to 40 weeks in prison, half of which he will spend in custody.
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