A man has been sentenced for assaulting someone with a seat at a Boroughbridge pub.

Paul Mortimer, 54, was found guilty of criminal damage to property valued under £5,000 and assault occasioning actual bodily harm on October 2 following a trial at Harrogate Magistrates Court.

The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared, which was not read aloud when Mortimer returned to court on Friday (November 21) for sentence.

Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, told the court the offences occurred at The Black Bull Inn in Boroughbridge on June 22, 2024.

The victim, a member of staff, was sitting in the back area of the pub at around 9.30pm that evening.

A colleague asked the man to come through to the bar area to speak to Mortimer, who had been a regular at the pub for two-to-three years, as he had been using “inappropriate language”.

The victim went through and noticed Mortimer holding a glass. A glass was then smashed against a wall but the landlord did not see Mortimer throw it.

The court heard the victim asked Mortimer, of St Andrew’s Crescent in Kirklees, why he threw the glass and about his use of inappropriate language.

The defendant then picked up a stool and hit the victim with it twice, striking him on his forearm and his ribs.

Ms Ibbotson said:

Mortimer, who was on crutches in court, also caused damage to the pub’s furniture to an unknown value.

Police were called and the victim later said he sustained cuts and bruises across his body.

The court heard:

Mortimer is of previous good character.

Defendant ‘never had any alcohol problems’ 

Mr Arif, defending, told the court Mortimer has “never had any alcohol problems” and “only drinks in a social setting”.

“It has never presented a problem, and this is the first time he has ever come to court”, Mr Arif added.

Despite denying the offence, the court heard Mortimer now accepts the findings and will "comply with any conditions without breach".

Mr Arif gave the magistrates letters from Mortimer’s GP and a hospital, which were not read to the court, and said he will be “up-and-running again from about mid-January” after recently undergoing surgery.

The magistrates handed Mortimer a 12-month community order, during which he must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days, 200 hours of unpaid work and a 60-day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement.

He was also ordered to pay a total of £1,334, comprising £600 in victim compensation, £620 in prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge.

A 12-month restraining order was also made against Mortimer, banning him from entering The Black Bull Inn and contacting the victim.