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10
Jan
Man left with huge dental bill after being punched by army sergeant in Harrogate
A man has been left with a huge dental bill after being punched in the street in Harrogate.
Liam Tuite pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm at Harrogate Magistrates Court yesterday (January 9).
Fiona Newcombe, prosecuting, told the court the named victim was standing outside Mojo on Parliament Street at 3.20am on May 4, 2024.
The court heard the man was on the phone to his girlfriend when he was approached by Tuite, who is a sergeant in the British Army.
The victim did not know Tuite, of Snipe Park Road in Doncaster. When Tuite tried to speak to him, he did not hear what he said as he was on the phone.
Ms Newcombe said:
The defendant then punched [victim] in an upper-cut style. The defendant then went inside Mojo and the victim called the police. The police found the defendant inside the bar.
The court heard that when Tuite was arrested, he told police he’d known the victim for four or five years and “always hated him”.
The victim’s tooth was knocked loose and he has had to undergo dental procedures since the incident, Ms Newcombe said.
He has so far spent more than £3,000 on dental treatment but he requires further prosthetic treatment, which will take the total bill to £7,785.
Ms Newcombe described the blow as a “single, spontaneous punch".
Victim ‘persistently reminded of attack’
The prosecution read a victim impact statement to the court.
In it, the victim said he is “persistently reminded of the attack”, including when he brushes his teeth and when he speaks.
The statement added:
I was minding my own business and waiting for a taxi. I have lived in Harrogate my whole life and this has caused me crippling anxiety. I have suffered a substantial cost.
It has impacted my mental health and I’m receiving professional help.
Assault was a 'freak incident'
Felix Evans, defending, told the court it was a “very sad day” for the defendant.
The court heard Tuite has served in the army for 16 years.
Mr Evans said the incident was out of character and the defendant could not remember much of what took place, but deeply regrets his actions.
Tom Wood, the defendant’s corporal, said in a character reference for Tuite the 32-year-old was of “exemplary character”, a “caring individual” and that the assault was a “freak incident”.
Mr Wood added that he would also face disciplinary action under military guidelines, which could include a reduction in rank.
The magistrates fined Tuite £11,725, which included payment for the victim’s dental bill and compensation.
Magistrates told the defendant that they opted against a community order because he was of “previous good character”.
However, they told him that they found his behaviour “despicable”. They added:
We think going forward you need to be very, very careful about how you conduct yourself.
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