Horror as drunk hurls beer bottle through moving car windshield

Driver's eyes struck by glass, court hears

A MOTORIST was taken to hospital after a drunken stranger threw a beer bottle through the windshield of his moving car.

Victim Max Braybrooke and his passenger were sprayed with glass shards, some of which went in their eyes, Newbury magistrates heard.

In the dock on Thursday, June 25, was James David Lawton, formerly of Kingsley Close, Shaw, and now of nearby Shaw Farm Road.

Magistrates said the potential for even more serious injury had been “horrendous” and warned the 21-year-old he may yet be sent to prison.

Helen Waite, prosecuting, said Mr Braybrooke was driving with friends in Thatcham when suddenly, at 12.45am, a hurled beer bottle crashed through the windscreen, showering those inside with glass. The terrified victims drove off, despite injuries to their eyes and hands.

Mr Braybrooke’s front-seat passenger, identified only as Mr May, had his wounds dressed by paramedics while Mr Braybrooke needed hospoital treatment for eye injuries, the court heard.

Mr May said he had seen the defendant hurl the bottle with his right hand, lurching forward onto his left foot for extra momentum.

He later picked out Mr Lawton in an identity parade, said Ms Waite.

She added that, in interview Mr Lawton said he had been drinking in The Plough in Thatcham town centre.

Ms Waite went on: "He was very drunk and couldn’t remember doing it. The aggravating features here are the use of a weapon and subsequent injury.”

Mr Lawton admitted assaulting Mr Braybrooke by beating on March 28 this year.

A second charge of causing criminal damage to Mr Braybrooke’s Ford Focus on the same occasion was withdrawn after the prosecution offered no evidence.

Mr Lawton also has previous convictions, including battery, the court heard.

Nadine Colyer, defending, said: “There was no reason behind what he did. He was clearly intoxicated and had no particular issue with the aggrieved.”

She urged the court to adjourn the case for pre-sentence reports to be prepared on her client.

The court concurred and presiding magistrate Nicola Buchanan-Dunlop told Mr Lawton: “You’re extremely lucky that greater harm wasn’t done. The potential for it was horrendous.”

Mr Lawton was released on unconditional bail until July 16.

He was warned that all sentencing options remain open, including custody.