Reveller jailed for assault

Derby Crown Court heard, last Tuesday, how Robert Ward, 25, had been given a suspended prison sentence for the first offence but carried out a similar assault in a Chesterfield club.

Judge Michael Fowler said the suspended sentence was intended to give him the opportunity to stay out of trouble.

He told Ward of Lockoford Lane, Stonegravels, Chesterfield: “It is easy to imagine your euphoria and sense of relief. One would have hoped you had learned your lesson.

“It is plain in the reference from your employer and in the pre-sentence report that the majority of the time you are a hard working responsible young man.

“Obviously you have a streak of violence which reveals itself when you are drunk.”

Ward admitted assault causing actual bodily harm after the incident in June.

Alex Wolfson, prosecuting, said: “It was almost an identical assault in terms of time and place and delivery. It was one punch.

“It broke the nose which was obviously flattened.”

The 19-year-old victim also needed dental work on two teeth and suffered a cut to the face.

Annette Thomas, mitigating, described Ward as a hard-working man who was a sub-contractor for a utility firm.

Mrs Thomas said: “He accepts it is drink which has influenced the way he has acted and his behaviour in public.”

She told the judge Ward got married last year and cared for three children.

Ward had also co-operated with the police during their investigation.

Mrs Thomas added: “Ultimately, that co-operation has gone on to lead to his appearance before the court as well as being recognised by an officer who perhaps dealt with him on the previous occasion.”