Man escapes jail over 14-stitch punch

A ROYTON man who beat up a love rival in a jealous rage has escaped jail after insisting it was only a fist fight.

Lee Cameron (25), of Alpine Drive, stormed into a pub after hearing his ex-girlfriend was canoodling there.

He told the man: “I thought you were a mate”, then punched him. The victim needed 14 stitches.

Nicoletta Amatino, prosecuting, told Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester: “On the evening of the attack it is understood that the complainant was in the smoking area of a public house.

“It was then that the defendant walked up to him and punched him in the face. The defendant then tried to jump over the wall to escape, threatening that if he saw him again he would do the same again.

“The complainant went to hospital where he received 14 stitches — known as double stitches due to the depth of the wounds.”

Cameron admitted assault saying he had punched the victim four times.

Mike Leeming, defending, said: “The defendant pleaded guilty at the earliest possibility.

“He had received a phone call telling him that his ex-partner, with whom he has a child, was with another man.

“During this telephone call he was told that the pair were conoodling with each other in a pub. The defendant went there to confront the pair and said to the complainant ‘I thought you were a mate’.

“There was no drink involved in this case, and there were other objects around such as bottles and glasses. This could have been a much worse case. But it was only a fist fight.

Judge Andrew Lowcock, said: “This attack was one of a jealous rage. You punched him four times in the face. I give full credit to you for your guilty plea.”

He gave Cameron an eight-month jail sentence suspended for two years. He was also ordered to pay £250 compensation.