Thug who smashed stool over man's head in Black Country pub spared jail

Lloyd Gould was told that he had escaped being sent to prison 'by the skin of his teeth' after he launched the vicious attack in the Painters Arms in Coseley.

Wolverhampton Crown Court heard that Gould, aged 38, was out drinking with his father on August 24 last year when he was approached by a man who asked him to buy him a drink.

When he refused the victim started calling him names and followed him into the toilets, the court was told.

A short time later the man became involved in an argument with Gould's father, at which point Gould began the assault.

CCTV footage shown to the court revealed the full extent of Gould's brutal attack.

The images showed him approaching the victim at the pub's bar and sending him sprawling to the ground with a single blow to the head.

Gould was then seen to aim a volley of kicks and punches at the man before smashing him over the head with a bar stool.

Mr Edward Soulsby, prosecuting, said: "He doesn't let go. He keeps on having a pop, if I can use the vernacular."

The attack came to an end when other drinkers intervened. The court heard that Gould was arrested that same night at his home in nearby Summerhill Road.

"He wasn't entirely co-operative," Mr Soulsby added. "When police arrived he smashed the door so hard it blew off its hinges."

The court was told Gould's victim suffered black eyes, cuts and swelling to his face as a result of the attack.

Mr Richard Franck, defending, said Gould was ashamed of himself and apologetic for his actions.

He said: "He accepts full responsibility for what he has done which is why he pleaded guilty at the very first opportunity.

"This was completely out of character. Thankfully for him the injuries to his victim were not in fact serious. This could have been a lot worse."

Gould admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He was jailed for eight months, suspended for two years with two years of supervision and a three month curfew.

He was also ordered to pay £500 compensation and to complete 100 hours of unpaid work.

Recorder Ciaran Rankin told Gould: "This was a worrying incident that did not demand an explosion of anger.

"By the skin of your teeth you are not going to prison today."