Reading Crown Court: Nightclub reveller from Thatcham shattered man's jaw while high on drink and drugs
A NIGHTCLUB reveller from Thatcham, high on cocaine and alcohol, shattered a man's jaw, causing permanent disfigurement.
The unprovoked attack happened after the victim's girlfriend was punched in the face, Reading Crown Court heard on Friday, May 13.
In the dock was Daniel Wilder, of Montacute Drive.
Leigh Hart, prosecuting, said the 26-year-old had been out to Popworld in Reading with a friend, Declan Aldridge, and that both were being ejected for bad behaviour.
She said other revellers were upset by Mr Aldridge's racist comments but nevertheless tried to calm him down.
But Mr Aldridge suddenly turned round and punched a nearby woman, Chloe Purnell, full in the face, the court heard.
Her boyfriend, Jamie Brodie Farmer, approached Mr Aldridge to remonstrate with him and Ms Hart said: "Mr Wilder, for no reason whatsoever, decides to become involved.
"He told Mr Brodie Farmer: 'Oi, that's my boy,' and punched him in the jaw.
"Members of the public who heard the sound of that punch said it was like breaking glass; Mr Brodie Farmer's jaw is effectively shattered."
Both he and Miss Purnell needed hospital treatment, the court heard.
Mr Brodie Farmer, in particular, needed multiple operations; he was placed on a liquid diet and was off work for two months.
The court heard he is permanently scarred and feels disfigured.
Wilder, a father of three, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm on August 15 last year.
He also admitted possessing the Class A-controlled drug cocaine on the same occasion.
Wilder also has convictions for 15 previous offences, including three robberies, public order offences, drug offences and motoring offences.
Ms Hart concluded: "There was absolutely no reason for Mr Wilder to become involved in the way that he did; Mr Brodie Farmer has a permanent and irreversible injury and potentially lasting disfigurement."
Steve Molloy, defending, asked the court to give his client "one last chance" and pointed out that Wilder had learning difficulties.
He said a pre-sentence report, while characterising his risk of re-offending as 'medium' also assessed him as a vulnerable defendant who may face difficulties adjusting to prison life.
Mr Molloy stressed Wilder came from a "respectable" family background.
His brother is a schoolteacher and his late father was an equestrian stable yard manager, the court heard.
Mr Molloy added: "He is terrified at the prospect of going to prison... he is genuinely sorry for what he did."
Judge Sarah Campbell said that a custodial sentence was inevitable for the "appalling incident" but that, in the light of Mr Molloy's mitigation, she "just" felt able to suspend it.
Wilder was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.
In addition he was made subject to a six-month daily curfew between 7pm and 6am.
Finally, she ordered Wilder to pay £3,000 compensation to Mr Brodie Farmer.