A LITHUANIAN man who launched an unprovoked attack on a co-worker did so because he was “angry” after working a nine hour shift, a court heard.

Appearing through an interpretor at North Wales Magistrates’ Court, Marius Kasmocius, 27, admitted punching and headbutting Sean Rathbone as they both worked alongside each other on a conveyor belt at a waste recycling centre in Sandycroft, Flintshire.

Justin Espie, prosecuting, said the incident happened at around 3pm on January 3 this year as Mr Rathbone, who was team leader, worked next to Kasmocius as they sorted waste.

Showing the court CCTV of the incident, Mr Espie said: “There does not seem to be any interaction between the two parties before the defendant launches blows to the back of Mr Rathbone’s head and makes two attempts at headbutting him. It is totally unprovoked.”

Kasmocius, of The Cross, Kingsley, Frodsham, told police officers he had lost his temper after working for nine hours straight whereupon “I just lost it”.

Chester and District Standard:

Screenshot of CCTV footage inside waste recycling centre in Sandycroft shows Marius Kasmocius punching and headbutting a co-worker. Courtesy of Crown Prosecution Service

Mr Espie added that Mr Rathbone, who made no attempt to retaliate, was left with bruising to his nose following the attack.

Probation officer Danielle Jones said that on the day of the offence, Kasmocius was working a second consecutive 14 hour shift and “felt exhausted”.

Ms Jones said he had told her he found the working environment “unnerving” because it was “very quiet” and had thought Mr Rathbone had thrown something at him.

He had thought about assaulting Mr Rathbone before but on the first occasion he had managed to control his anger and he could offer “no explanation” why he did not hold back this time.

Ms Jones added Kasmocius, who regularly smoked cannabis, showed “minimal empathy towards his victim”.

Addressing the court through an interpretor and representing himself, Kasmocius, said: “I apologise and feel sorry. I lost my temper because of the loud bangs.”

Chair of the bench, Philip Jones, said: “We have listened to the prosecution and the answers you have given and watched some very clear CCTV footage and have come to the conclusion that this assault is particularly nasty.

“It was totally unprovoked and shocking for the victim and we do not see any remorse in court today or any empathy with the victim.”

Mr Jones handed Kasmocius eight weeks in custody suspended for 12 months and ordered him to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

He will also be the subject of a 16-day rehabilitation activity requirement with 10 days set aside to work on anger management and six days to address alcohol and substance abuse. Kasmocius will also pay £100 compensation to Mr Rathbone, court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £115.

“You have been very lucky not to go into custody immediately,” added Mr Jones.