A CARPENTER “on the verge of becoming a semi-professional boxer” has avoided an immediate jail sentence for a one punch attack in Southbourne last year.

Luke Edwards Patrick Anderson, 21, of Perth Close, Christchurch, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent to Dion Fulker on Southbourne Beach on May 30 last year.

The defendant was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Thursday, March 18.

The court heard how Anderson had been drinking throughout the day of May 30 when he got into a disagreement with Mr Fulker and punched him, believing he was about to be struck by the victim.

Prosecuting, Puneet Grewal said the victim suffered a double fracture to his lower jaw.

Ms Grewal said the aggravating factors were that alcohol was involved and serious injury was caused.

Anderson also had a previous conviction when he spat at a woman in The Christopher Creeke pub in Bournemouth in December 2018 for which he received a 12-month conditional discharge.

Ms Grewal also told the court that the victim was unable to eat and had time off work, and a victim personal statement said how it took 18 months to fully recover from the attack.

Mitigating, Nick Robinson said Anderson was “worthy of a second chance”.

He said: “This defendant could have argued it was in self-defence. It is clear he had a very careful period of reflection before the day of the first hearing, such was his serious approach to it.

“This defendant took responsibility and I hope that it proves it would be unjust to send this man to prison.

“The fact of the conviction is going to be punishment in itself. He was on the verge of becoming a semi-professional boxer and has great potential to be a real role model to others.

“Is it just to send a young man to prison when probation say they can work with him?”

Mr Robinson argued for a suspended prison sentence, stating that Anderson would be vulnerable to other prisoners inside.

Judge Jonathan Fuller QC sentenced Anderson to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years.

“You were drinking for some time, at about half past 5 you found yourself with a group of friends and there was another group,” Judge Fuller said.

“You and the victim got into a pointless argument, no doubt influenced by drink, it resulted in you punching him, causing him a double fracture.

“He had to be operated on, he was on a liquid diet and has taken about 18 months to fully recover.

“I have to accept you mistakenly believed you were going to be hit first, but that was, in my view, error by you due to intoxication.”

Anderson was also ordered to pau £1,250 compensation, giving an electronically monitored curfew for three months and made to pay £425 in costs.

“You understand that if you get into trouble in the next two years, a judge will have to revisit this sentence.

“I hope you won’t be back before the court, you are a young man with a future ahead of you.”