A MAN who smashed a pint glass over his friend’s head in a Carlisle city centre pub has been spared immediate prison.
Carlisle Crown Court was told this morning (TUES) that Martyn Armstrong’s anger over an unpaid loan he made to Jason Bowe boiled over into violence inside The Griffin at around 6pm on February 14.
Armstrong, 28, entered the pub and walked around “as if looking for somebody or something” before going upstairs, where Mr Bowe was having a quiet drink.
Armstrong walked over to his pal. “He picked up Mr Bowe’s pint glass,” prosecutor Charles Brown said, “poured beer over his head and struck Mr Bowe on the head with the pint glass. He then punched him several times before leaving.”
CCTV captured the incident, the court heard, Armstrong being arrested several days later. Mr Bowe received hospital treatment for a wound which was stitched and stapled, but had withdrawn his support for the criminal prosecution.
Armstrong pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding, and was sentenced today. Judge Nicholas Barker received supportive references submitted on behalf of Armstrong, noted he had no previous criminal offences to his name, was in full-time work and, in the opinion of a probation officer, was genuinely sorry for what he’d done.
A 15-month jail term was suspended for 24 months, and Armstrong, of Newtown Road, Carlisle, must complete a rehabilitation requirement and 200 hours’ unpaid work.
Of the defendant’s original unpaid debt displeasure, Judge Barker said: “That in no way provides you any justification to do what you did, which was a serious act of violence in a public place.”
“You smashed the glass on his head,” Judge Barker added. “You went and sought out Jason Bowe. Of that there can be no doubt.”
