Lambourn man in Hungerford brawl
Allan Daniel Hanson lashed out at a car in frustration, then fought with owner Michael Beverage after leaving the Railway Tavern, the court was told recently.
Clare Barclay, prosecuting, said that after Mr Hanson, aged 29, of Honey Hill, was seen to kick a BMW 318d estate and damage its wing mirror, owner Mr Beverage “came over the challenge Mr Hanson’s behaviour”.
She added: “The defendant was drunk.”
CCTV footage screened at the court showed Mr Hanson knocking Mr Beverage to the ground during the ensuing scuffle. The two men then exchange punches. In a victim impact statement, Mr Beverage said: “I had a swollen jaw for a week and it was uncomfortable to eat for days.”
Mr Hanson denied a charge of common assault, and this was withdrawn after the prosecution accepted his guilty plea to the lesser charge of threatening, abusive, or insulting behaviour with intent to make another believe unlawful violence would be inflicted on them, in Hungerford on November 30 last year.
Mr Hanson further admitted causing criminal damage to the BMW, belonging to Greene King Brewery, on the same occasion.
He also has previous convictions, the court heard.
Steve Molloy, defending, said: “He apologises for the criminal damage and wishes to pay compensation. Mr Hanson had been at the races that day and had been drinking very heavily. He had been in the Railway Tavern in Hungerford when two
individuals annoyed and tried to
provoke him.
“He did the right thing and removed himself from the scene or there might have been a fight in the pub but, without thinking, then kicked the car. It was a
reckless act - he just lashed out at the first object in his path and it happened to be the car. He was understandably challenged by the owner and a tussle, a fight, ensues.”
Of that fight, Mr Molloy said: “The two men come together and both men, on occasions, act as the aggressor, it would appear. In one instance the complainant lunges for my client.
“Mr Hanson’s recollection is somewhat hazy due to the consumption of alcohol but he accepts his behaviour was unacceptable. This was an isolated incident - he is not one of those young men getting arrested every Saturday and appearing before the court every Monday. He is a road surfacing engineer who lives with his girlfriend.”
Magistrates fined Mr Hanson £450. He was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a statutory
surcharge of £45.
In addition magistrates ordered him to pay £100 compensation for the damage to the BMW.