Man gets suspended sentence for attack outside Newtown pub

Christopher Thomas, 50, appeared before Mold Crown Court on Thursday, July 2, after pleading guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage.

The court heard the offences took place outside The Sportsman pub garden on Parkers Lane on January 3 last year.

Prosecutor Joseph Lees said the victim, Phillip May, had gone to the pub to take part in a pool competition. Thomas was also at the venue with his partner.

The two men were not friends but had previously worked together for a short period, the court was told.

Mr May went outside for a cigarette and was followed by Thomas.

CCTV footage showed Thomas immediately grabbing Mr May, headbutting him and throwing him to the ground.

Thomas then got on top of him, punched him several times and repeatedly pushed his head into the ground.

Parkers Lane in Newtown, where the assault took place outside The Sportsman pub earlier last year. (Image: Google)

Mr May eventually got to his feet and attempted to punch Thomas, but none of the blows connected. A struggle then continued on the floor.

After the incident, both men returned to the pub.

Mr May later realised his iPhone 11 was missing, and a friend subsequently found it badly damaged.

CCTV footage showed Thomas repeatedly throwing the phone against a wall. The device was valued at £500.

During a police interview, Thomas claimed Mr May had previously got him sacked from a job as a building contractor and alleged the victim had been aggressive and threatening towards him.

However, prosecutors said the CCTV footage did not support his account and instead showed Thomas acting as the aggressor.

When officers challenged him about the footage, Thomas replied: "I know what it shows... but."

Asked about the damaged phone, Thomas said: "It doesn't even look like a phone to be honest with you."

The assault left Mr May with a swollen and bruised eye as well as cuts to his face and head.

The court heard Thomas has 18 previous convictions for 51 offences, including three previous convictions for actual bodily harm, the most recent dating back to 2016.

Defending, Dafydd Roberts said Thomas had not reoffended in the 18 months since the incident and had taken steps to control his alcohol consumption.

Mold Crown Court, where Christopher Thomas was sentenced after admitting assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage. (Image: Staff)

The court also heard he had caring responsibilities for his mother and a strong work history despite recently claiming benefits.

Sentencing, Judge Nicola Jones said Thomas had attacked Mr May because of a grievance linked to previous employment.

She said: "You headbutted him and threw him to the floor. You then banged his head against the floor repeatedly.

"You minimised your actions and frankly did yourself no favours in interview."

Judge Jones said alcohol and Thomas's temper had been direct factors in the offending and described the headbutt as the use of a weapon.

She added that the offences were aggravated by his previous convictions, intoxication and the fact the incident happened at a pub where there was potential for wider disorder.

Thomas, of Fir Grove, Oswestry, was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Judge Jones said she had decided against immediate custody because Thomas had stayed out of trouble for 18 months since the incident.

"You've already taken great steps to rehabilitate yourself," she told him.

"A suspended sentence hanging over your head is sufficient punishment in my judgment."

She added: "At your age we need to put a stop on this.

"I'm sure you're really embarrassed as a 50-year-old scrapping in a pub garden."

Thomas was also ordered to pay £750 compensation to cover the victim's injuries and the damaged phone, together with a £187 victim surcharge.

The judge declined to impose a restraining order, noting that despite both men living in the same town there had been no further incidents since the attack.