A JEALOUS man, who was annoyed at being rejected, repeatedly kicked a man in the head until he became unconscious, a court heard

Jonathon David Challice Edwards, 22, of Oldford Rise, Welshpool, admitted the assault charge at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, February 4. 

Justin Espie, prosecuting, said that the incident took place last year in the early hours of Saturday, November 9. The defendant and the victim in the case, Neil Mantle, knew each other, but had gone on a night out in Welshpool separately, magistrates heard.

It was heard that at the end of the night, Edwards decided to stay at his place of work and to get a takeaway.

He saw Mr Mantle with a woman who he was in a casual relationship with, the court heard.

Mr Espie said that the defendant “became agitated” and was told to leave. He then punched Mr Mantle in the face causing him to fall to the floor and repeatedly kicked him towards the head until he become unconscious, the court heard.

“The victim could not recall what happened,” Mr Espie said.

As well as being left unconscious, Mr Mantle had a split and swollen lip. Pictures of these injuries were shown to magistrates.

“He was jealous of the victim and annoyed about being rejected,” the prosecution said. Mr Espie added that he had purposefully caused the injuries.

In a victim impact statement, Mr Mantle said that he took two or three days off work until the swelling went down. He also said that he didn’t see his children as he “didn’t want them to see anything that could have worried them in any way”.

He said that he had never been in an altercation before and that he is now a bit more wary of people.

Mike Davies, defending, said: “It’s a shame to see somebody like him here today. He’s got no previous convictions, he’s a hardworking man who has never been in trouble or in court at all.”

Mr Davies said the defendant had “no excuse” for assaulting Mr Mantle.

Edwards had been in a relationship with the woman for eight months, the court heard from the defence.

Probation officer Julian Davies said Edwards feels ashamed and regrets his actions, and said that what he heard about Mr Mantle not wanting to see his children really affected him.

Magistrates sentenced Edwards for the actual bodily harm offence with a 12-month community order with 100 unpaid work hours. He was also told to pay £150 to Mr Mantle in compensation, as well as a £90 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs.