A Carlisle man who launched a vicious attack on an off-duty police officer in a city bar he was banned from entering has been jailed.
Lewis O’Neil, 24, was on a Pubwatch scheme list of barred customers when violence flared on August 6.
There was an initial incident in Botchergate’s Bar 32 where O’Neil was being loud, prompting others to expect trouble.
Then, in nearby Ballers, O’Neil, of Ullswater Road, Carlisle, continued to be loud and obnoxious. He began jostling one member of the off-duty police group who, CCTV showed, was sat down and still, before launching an attack.
This began with what member of the group described as a vicious big arc swing to the face. The first of four or five powerful blows was to the left eye with a prosecutor describing short but intense violence.
The man suffered a cut cheek and eyebrow, plus reddening to the knee as he fell from a chair. His jeans were also damaged. In an impact statement he spoke of never previously been subject to anything like it, and of being left feeling fragile.
The court heard this was one of three separate offences committed by O’Neil while subject to a suspended prison sentence, imposed on March 22. O’Neil had previously attacked a staff member at Walkabout on Botchergate, using two bottles.
Just a fortnight after being spared jail, O’Neil left a Carlisle restaurant, on Lonsdale Street, without paying the £69.50 bill.
There was then a similar incident, at Penny Blue during which O’Neil failed to pay for a £193 food and drink bill on May 12. A manager was concerned by swearing and shouting from his table.
When brought to court, O’Neil admitted actual bodily harm assault, criminal damage and two counts of making off without payment.
A barrister representing O’Neil said he was not naive about the punishment which lay in store for him, and told the court he needed assistance with alcohol.
Judge Nicholas Barker imposed a total immediate prison term of 21 months. The judge concluded O’Neil’s violence was forceful and ferocious and wholly unprovoked.
