JAILED: Thug left peacemaker needing stitches after throwing glass in pub row
A teenager who threw a glass into the face of a man trying to keep the peace among rowdy customers at a pub has been locked up for 12 months.
Lee Danbury was hit on the forehead, opening up a wound that required 20 stitches, a judge heard.
He intervened as a group of young women castigated the landlady for asking them to stop mucking about with the equipment of a DJ who was packing up at the completion of his show at 1am on November 5.
They grabbed the karaoke microphone and kept singing until she turned the power off and had abuse hurled at her by some of those involved, said Mr William Dudley, prosecuting at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
Regular Mr Danbury stepped in to urge them to show respect but landed in the middle of a row with one of the women whose brother Jake Parkes was still at the Travellers Rest in Great Bridge Road, Moxley.
The 19-year-old saw what was going on and started throwing glasses at Mr Danbury.
The first missed but the second smashed into his face, continued Mr Dudley who added: “He felt significant pain and blood coming down the right side of his head. He had been struck across the forehead. The wound required 20 stitches.”
The attacker was finally recognised with help from CCTV film but refused to take part in an identity parade, the court was told.
At the time he was on bail for an unrelated offence after being found in a bar armed with a short hammer.
Mr James Doyle, defending, said: “This is a serious assault and one imagines that it involves an oafish aggressor who needs to be taught a lesson.
"In reality he is an introverted, shy, reserved young man who was in drink.”
He added that he had consumed more alcohol that he was used too.
Parkes from Galbraith Close, Bilston pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding and was given 12 months detention in a Young Offenders Institution.
Judge Michael Challinor told him: “Mr Danbury was just trying to help the landlady to keep order when he was attacked.
The message must go out that people who behave like you will be punished.
“You were on bail for possession of an offensive weapon at the time but I accept that this offending was out of character and not pre meditated.”
Parkes was also banned from the Travellers Rest for five years.
