A VULNERABLE man with mild learning difficulties had to have two plates fitted to his jaw which was broken when he was attacked in his own home, a court heard.
Anthony O’Reilly, 42, was described as a gentle, kind man who was befriended by defendant Curtis Andrew Jennings, 21.
It was alleged Jennings and his then girlfriend argued at Mr O’Reilly’s Mancot home in October of last year and he intervened.
Jennings then turned his attention to Mr O’Reilly, punched him on his face and fractured his jaw a jury heard.
Jennings, formerly of Field View in Mancot, but now of Newall Road, Upton, Chester, denies inflicting grievous bodily harm following the incident at Fox’s Close in Mancot.
He claims he acted in self defence.
Prosecutor David Mainstone told Mold Crown Court Jennings had launched an unprovoked assault on his then girlfriend in the home of a vulnerable man who was able to live independently with support, including support from his sister.
Jennings and the complainant had struck up a friendship, would watch television and share drinks at his home.
That night they were watching television, and it was the prosecution case that Mr O’Reilly consumed some lager while Jennings drank some whisky.
An argument broke out between Jennings and the girlfriend, it was alleged he grabbed her and assaulted her, and she ran into the bathroom.
Jennings started kicking the bathroom door, Mr O’Reilly told him to leave and it was alleged Jennings responded by turning on him.
He punched him to the face, causing him to fall to the floor.
When he asked him why he had hit him, he was punched again on his face and body, claimed Mr Mainstone.
It was claimed Jennings picked up the whisky bottle, smashed it and used it to cut himself on the arm.
They left and Mr O’Reilly went to bed in considerable pain.
His sister saw his swollen face the following morning and they went to the police.
In evidence Jennings denied he was drunk and claimed he acted in self-defence.
He denied he had assaulted his girlfriend, said she pulled her hair extensions out and went into the bathroom, and he kicked the door because he feared she was self-harming.
He did not strike her but held her in a bear hug, he said.
Mr O’Reilly did not get involved physically but had been concerned about the noise, he said.
Jennings claimed she got upset when Mr O’Reilly showed her text messages on Jennings’ phone which were from a woman – but he said they were from his sister.
He said he had left to get a CD, returned to hear Mr O’Reilly telling her how she could do better for herself and that she would be better without him.
That upset him, he said.
He claimed Mr O’Reilly was the aggressor who came towards him and hit him in the eye.
Jennings claimed he hit him back, they scuffled when the bottle broke, and when Mr O’Reilly came running at him again, he punched him a second time.
Jennings said he accepted causing the injuries, had not meant to do so and was very sorry, but said he had done it in self-defence.
Judge Niclas Parry will sum the case up to the jury today.
Proceeding.