Innocent comment met with violence

A partygoer was knocked unconscious in a vicious assault — because he innocently referred to his attacker as “kiddo.”

Mark Nolan (20) had his jaw broken in two places and had to have surgery after being punched three times in the face by 21-year old Jordan Hopes.

Mr Nolan was unable to eat solid food for weeks and was left with nerve damage after the attack.

Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court was told the assault happened at a party in Ripponden Road, Oldham, where both men had gone after drinking at a local pub.

Brendon O’Leary, prosecuting, said Mr Nolan had been rolling a cigarette and had dropped it.

Hopes, of Astley Close, Shaw, picked it up and handed it back to him, at which Mr Nolan innocently said: “Thanks, kiddo.”

Hopes took offence at the comment and said: “Don’t call me that.” Despite Mr Nolan’s attempts to convince him it was a friendly expression, Hopes lashed out, punching Mr Nolan three times and knocking him out.

Judge Mushtaq Khokhar told Hopes a suspended jail sentence with strict conditions would be far greater punishment than immediate custody.

He was given a 12-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, with nine months’ supervision.He was also ordered to carry out 150 hours’ unpaid work, tagged, given a four-month curfew and ordered to pay his victim £900 compensation.

Judge Khokhar said: “You punched this man three times despite others trying to restrain you, all because he called you ‘kiddo’. Nobody takes offence at that.”

The judge accepted the offence in August had been an isolated incident by Hopes who pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm.