[A] MAN accused of breaking his “friend’s” jaw with a single punch has gone on trial.
Ritchie Townsend, 24, faces two charges which arise out of an incident which allegedly occurred at his Napier Street home in Workington on July 28 last year.
He has pleaded not guilty to causing Dean Greenhalgh grievous bodily harm, and denies allegedly threatening violence towards Mr Greenhalgh if he reported the “assault” to police.
On day one of his trial at Carlisle Crown Court today (WED), Mr Greenhalgh told jurors he went to Townsend’s flat to see a man he thought was his good friend.
But Townsend, Mr Greenhalgh stated, was “very angry” and demanded he leave the property. “I had my back to him. He spun me round. He hit me,” he said.
Mr Greenhalgh said his jaw was broken in two places. Plates and screws were later fitted in hospital.
Prosecutor Gerard Rogerson told jurors: “It is the prosecution case the defendant cannot be said to have lawfully acted in the way he did.”
The trial continues.
