Best pal ‘glassed’ as row exploded

A MAN who “glassed” his best pal during a play fight that got out of hand, has been spared jail.

Daniel Barlow (27), of Anchor Street, Oldham, lashed out at Mark Britt with a wine glass, causing two gashes to the back of his head.

Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court heard that Barlow had drink problems which made him aggressive, but Judge Jonathan Geake told him it was no excuse.

He said: “Any use of a glass normally attracts an immediate custodial sentence, but I am persuaded that I can suspend the sentence for a number of reasons including the fact that reports suggest you have been doing good things to sort your life out.”

Andrew Smith prosecuting said that Barlow and Mr Britt had been lifelong friends, and had been sharing a flat together at Winpenny House, Oldham at the time of the incident in April last year.

He said, however, that some friction had developed between the two regarding financial matters, and on the night in question, there had been bickering between Barlow and Mr Britt’s girl friend.

The court was told there had been no love lost between the two, and she thought Barlow was taking advantage of her boy friend’s good nature.

What started out as play-fighting between Barlow and the girl friend became more aggressive, and the row spilled out onto the balcony of the flat. Mr Britt was struck with the glass when he tried to intervene.

When arrested by police Barlow said: “We’ve had a bit of a domestic. She bit me, and I glassed him.”

Barlow who pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawful wounding, was given a prison sentence of 48 weeks suspended for two years.