No jail for man who wielded wrench (From Worcester News)

No jail for man who wielded wrench

1:30pm Monday 22nd March 2010 in

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A TEENAGER who hit a man in the face with a metal wrench has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Luke Cullen, of Princes Way, Stourport, carried out the assault following an argument in a shop Worcester Crown Court was told.

Charles Hardy, prosecuting, said Cullen was involved in an altercation with Mark Robson on Monday, February 1.

Mr Hardy said Cullen came out of a shop arguing with Mr Robson before shouting: “Stay where you are I’m going to get my mates.”

The court heard how Mr Robson was sat in the front seat passenger seat of a car which was parked near Cullen’s home as the 19-year-old returned from the shop.

He went into his house then approached the car waving a wrench.

Cullen leaned through the open window and hit Mr Robson with the metal wrench before leaving the scene.

Mr Robson was left with a 3cm cut above his left eye.

Cullen handed himself in at Kidderminster Police Station about an hour after the incident where he was arrested and questioned.

He pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm when he appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates Court last month.

Defending, Charles Hobbs, said there had been a bit of “history” between his client and Mr Robson.

He added: “No one was more surprised than Mr Cullen by his behaviour on that day.

“He voluntarily handed himself in at the police station within the hour and was very tearful and anxious about what had happened.

Mr Hobbs said Cullen had taken the legal drug methadrone the previous night which had not agreed with him.

Recorder Lynn Tayton QC gave Cullen a six month sentence suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work and 12 months supervision.

Passing sentence Judge Tayton said: “You were involved in a very nasty offence. You deliberately went and got a wrench, you then used that on a man who was sat in a car unable to escape or defend himself. Fortunately the injury he received, although unpleasant, was not serious.”

Cullen was given credit for handing himself in at the police station and entering early guilty pleas.

• Your Worcester News was the only member of the media to attend this hearing.