A Royal Navy veteran who struck a man repeatedly as he lay prone and defenceless on a town centre street has been spared immediate prison.
Lee Wealleans, a 44-year-old dad-of-two, was caught on CCTV as he approached the victim just seconds after he had been floored by a single punch thrown by another man in darkness at Burrowgate, Penrith, on March 17 2024.
As the man lay on the floor, unable to respond, Mr Weallens went over and grabbed him around the face before being pulled away by others.
But Wealleans — dressed as a maid having been on a night out with others clothed in women’s attire — then returned and struck the man several times to the face.
Wealleans admitted affray and actual bodily harm assault.
This was on the agreed basis that he had acted alone and not with other members of a group seen on CCTV; and amid an earlier suggestion of violence towards his family members.
The victim suffered a cut to his forehead and a lump on his cheekbone. He couldn’t see out of one eye for a week after the incident, with bruising and reddening remaining for several weeks.
The prosecution accepted Wealleans would not have caused all the injuries, in light of the initial attack by a third party.
Wealleans, a hotel manager, was punished after the probation service prepared a background report, having interviewed him, to assist the sentencing exercise.
District judge Philip Holden took into account Wealleans’ prompt admissions of guilt and his remorse, along with previous Royal Navy service and subsequent post-traumatic stress disorder.
Wealleans, now of Premier Street, Stretford, Manchester, had not been in trouble since last March.
The judge imposed a 12-month prison sentence which he suspended for two years. Wealleans must complete 80 hours’ unpaid work, a rehabilitation requirement and pay his victim £750 compensation.
“You attacked a man who was prone on the floor, who was incapable of defending himself,” said the judge. “That was an act, in my judgement, of real cowardice.
“Had you not been pulled away by others, the injuries that he sustained would have been far worse, in my view.”
