Building society manager punched 'wrong' man and broke his jaw (From Bournemouth Echo)

Building society manager punched 'wrong' man and broke his jaw

7:40pm Friday 26th February 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

A BUILDING society manager who punched his friend by mistake during a fight outside a nightspot has been spared prison.

Anthony Bailey, 20, from Cripplestyle, Fording-bridge, admitted causing Steve Reeves grievous bodily harm during the alcohol-fuelled incident on August 1 last year.

Mr Reeves needed a metal plate fitted after Bailey broke his jaw, Bournemouth Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Angela England said violence flared after a dispute inside Bar Me in Old Christchurch Road spilled out on to the street.

One member of the group punched Bailey and he lashed out, striking Mr Reeves. Miss England added: “Up until then Mr Reeves had been acting as peacemaker and trying to break up the fight.

“He fell to the floor but managed to make his way home. An X-ray on August 5 showed that he had a fractured jaw.”

Bailey apologised the next day, continued Miss England, “acknowledging that he had struck the wrong man after drinking seven pints of lager”.

Defending, Les Smith said: “They were all friends, including the victim, and Mr Bailey realised he had hit the wrong person... He is genuinely sorry and remorseful.”

Mr Smith stressed his client was a man of previous good character, adding: “He was promoted yesterday to the post of customer accounts manager and is the youngest person ever to hold that position.”

Imposing a 12-month community order, with a requirement that Bailey carries out 200 hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months, Judge John Beashel told him: “This young man has suffered a very serious injury because of your criminal behaviour. In many ways you deserve to go to prison immediately.”

He ordered Bailey to pay his victim £2,000 compensation.