Son attacked by bystander after swearing at his own mother in West Bromwich pub
A man who swore at his 80-year-old mother in a pub was left with a broken ankle after he was attacked by a man who took offence at his abusive language, a court heard.
Gregory Norton had been drinking heavily when he took umbrage to a foul mouthed punter at the Prince Albert in Sams Lane, West Bromwich, on February 14, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.
The 23-year-old repairman admonished his victim before he followed him outside and struck him with a single blow to the head, causing the man to topple over and break his ankle.
Mr Paul Farrow, prosecuting, said the complainant had accepted he had sworn during a conversation he was having with his mother and another elderly woman.
"The defendant took exception and warned the man not to swear in front of women," he said. "When the defendant left the pub he was followed by Norton.
"He hit him very quickly. The victim fell to the floor and others came forward to stop the attack."
When police arrived at the scene Norton approached an officer and immediately admitted what he'd done, Mr Farrow added.
His victim was left with a cut above his left eye and a fracture to his ankle that required a plate and screws to fix. He had to miss several weeks of work while his leg was in plaster, Mr Farrow said.
Mr David Bratt, defending, said that although his client had acted in a 'totally inappropriate manner', his motives had been 'honourable'.
"He is a young man and he attends court in penance," he said. "The essential issue here is that he took exception to the way in which the complainant was talking to his own mother.
"The attack was over in the blink of an eye. He certainly did not foresee a break in the injured party's ankle. To his credit he acted totally properly thereafter and stayed at the scene, rather than flee.
"He made full and frank admissions. This was a reckless act rather than a deliberate attempt to cause harm."
Norton, of Holyhead Road, Wednesbury, admitted wounding. He was jailed for nine months suspended for two years.
He was also ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work, pay £700 compensation, £300 costs and a victim surcharge of £100.
Norton was also banned from attending the Prince Albert pub in Sams Lane for 12 months.
Recorder Shamim Qureshi told him: "This was 30 per cent anger and 70 per cent alcohol. You really do need to control both elements."
