Pub punch yob in big pay-out

Victim Cameron Johnston had already been pushed to the ground outside the Lamb and Packet pub on Friargate, Preston, after a fracas with another group of men on February 27, Preston’s Sessions House Court was told.

But as he went to stand up, John Taylor, 29 – who was leaving the pub and had no involvement in the previous incident – punched him and knocked him out.

Taylor, of Church Road, St Annes, admitted causing actual bodily harm.

Prosecuting, Susan Carter said: “Mr Johnston had been into Preston with his brother and friend to try some clothing for his brother’s upcoming wedding. The incident happened at about 6.20pm when the three men, having had a fitting, went into a pub in the student area of the city.

“The licensee Mr McIntosh describes them coming into the pub and their attendance causing no problems.

“A second group of 10 to 12 men have been involved with Mr Johnston and his group to the extent that he was ushered out of the public house.

“Having been pushed out he then falls to the floor, having had a pint of beer poured on him.

“The defendant finished his drink, and goes out of the pub and as Mr Johnston is getting to his feet, without anything being said, he strikes him once to the face.

“The consequence of that blow to the head is he falls to the floor and loses consciousness for several minutes.”

The court heard he was taken to hospital by ambulance and released the same night – but had to be readmitted the following day after collapsing at home.

A cut in his ear canal had caused bleeding but there were no lasting injuries.

Taylor has seven convictions for eight offences, including a football banning order. Defending, Joe Hart said: “This was a defendant who was having a quiet drink. The aggrieved clearly made himself objectionable to another group within the pub because they were clearly upset at something because he is pushed out of the pub.

“He accepts entirely it was an instinctive reaction to seeing a man who’s getting up and coming towards him.”

Imposing 220 hours of unpaid work and £300 compensation, Judge Ian Leeming QC said: “There was trouble between two groups which led to his being escorted out of the public house.

“He was coming back in when you were going out and you punched him.”