TWO men who admitted punching and kicking a man in a bar in Chester have been handed a community order and a suspended sentence.
Liam Corbett, 24 and of Old Lane, Pulford, and Christopher Lomas, 36 and of Colliers Way, Buckley, appeared at Chester Magistrates Court on Tuesday, November 19.
Both men pleaded guilty to using threatening and abusive words and behaviour, following an incident at Off The Wall, in St John Street, on Friday, August 1.
CPS prosecutor, Angela Blackmore, told the court that police had been called to the venue, and were initially directed to the victim – who had hit Corbett across the head with a glass bottle.
However, the two men were later arrested for instigating the fight.
CCTV showed Corbett gesticulating toward the man, while Lomas walked up a flight of stairs towards his girlfriend – who he stated had been insulted by the individual.
Corbett becomes increasingly animated, pointing the direction of Lomas, who returns, puts down his drink, and then begins to punch the man.
Corbett then joins in, while others attempt to break it up.
Corbett accepted throwing ‘at least three punches’ while Lomas was seen punching and kicking the man.
Another angle shows a further altercation, in which the incident is reignited, and the man strikes Corbett across the face with a bottle, which smashes.
Stevie Bate, representing Corbett, said that there was a verbal altercation in which comments were made towards his friend’s partner.
She added that he was ‘smashed in the face’ with a glass bottle, and sustained injuries.
Corbett, who had nine convictions from 12 previous offences, had cut down on alcohol since the incident, believing it exacerbated his response.
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Craig Hutchinson, representing Lomas, said that the seriousness of the incident was ‘not lost’ on his client, and that he had accepted that the ‘part that he played in the fight was wrong’.
His client also believes that alcohol was a factor in his behaviour,
While he threw the first punch, Mr Hutchinson said that Lomas was not involved in the second altercation and had gone alert the door staff.
Magistrates said that Lomas was ‘not heavily convicted previously but did throw the first punch’ adding that Corbett was ‘a different kettle of fish’ and appeared ‘provocative’ during the incident.
Lomas was given a community order, and will complete 200 hours of unpaid work.
He will also pay court costs of £85, and a £114 mandatory surcharge.
Corbett was given a 18-week prison sentence, suspended for two years.
He will complete five rehabilitation activity days, 200 hours of unpaid work, and be fitted with an alcohol abstinence tag.
He will also pay costs of £85, and a £154 mandatory surcharge.
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