Derbyshire boozer knocked out stroke victim with one punch

David Grimes lashed out after a group of people made fun of his accent outside the Bell Inn, Long Eaton, at 11.30pm, on June 26, last year.

His victim landed on a metal bin, and was bleeding from his mouth, nose and ears, as he lay unconscious, prosecutor Almas Ben-Aribia told Nottingham Crown Court, on Thursday.

The man sustained a minor traumatic brain injury, as well as cuts and bruising, and in the past had suffered strokes, and been diagnosed with an aneurysm.

Claire Moran, mitigating, said Grimes, a father of two with no previous convictions, had provided references claiming his behaviour was "wholly out of character."

He made an early guilty plea, and there has been no repetition since the offence over a year ago, she said.

He is currently building a school and is held in high regard by his employers, Ms Moran added.

Grimes, 34, of Hawthorne Avenue, Long Eaton, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, in February.

Judge John Burgess told him: "You're very lucky he didn't suffer a far more serious injury. Happily he seems to have recovered well.

"You were clearly in drink. This is wholly out of character for you."

He sentenced Grimes to four months, suspended for 12 months, and ordered him to pay his victim £600 compensation.

Grimes apologised to the court.

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