A MAN has been handed a suspended prison sentence for a one-punch Carlisle pub attack.
Michael William Alston, 31, hit out at Josh Bain in the city’s Cumberland Inn on Botchergate late on May 19 last year, knocking him unconscious with a single blow from behind.
“People went to the aid of Mr Bain, who remained prone and was placed in the recovery position,” said prosecutor Peter Killen.
Mr Bain attended hospital and was twice discharged but was later found to have suffered a post-traumatic injury – a scar on the brain as a result of a bleed. However, it was said he was expected to make an “excellent recovery”.
Alston, who admitted a grievous bodily harm charge, was said to have acted following an earlier incident involving a disabled friend. But his barrister told the court that “not for a moment” did he think to inflict serious injury.
After hearing mitigation, Judge James Adkin suspended a 12-month jail term for two years. Alston – a man of previous good character from Brook Street in Carlisle – must complete a five-month night-time curfew and pay his victim £2,000 compensation.
Judge Adkin said it had been a “cowardly attack”, adding of the victim: “He couldn’t have seen it coming.”
