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Thug glassed victim for jumping in puddle in Walsall town centre

A thug who was beaten up after getting involved in another man's fight landed in trouble after taking out his frustration on the original victim.

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Victim Sam Knowles jumped into a puddle for a bit of fun during a night out in Walsall town centre .

But the joke backfired when the water splashed three passers-by, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

The trio were not amused by his antics and started a fight with him that was soon joined by Mark Elmore – another passer-by – prompting the three men to turn on him.

After they finished with the 19-year-old he chased after Mr Knowles and told him to say sorry for starting the disturbance that ended with him being attacked during the early hours of January 13.

When no apology was forthcoming Elmore smashed a bottle over the head of Mr Knowles, the court was told.

Prosecutor Mr David Swinnerton explained: "Sam Knowles had visited a number of nightclubs with friends and, when he came out of the last of these, thought it would funny to jump into a puddle.

"In doing that he splashed three males who took offence and stood up to him. Punches were exchanged. The defendant then got involved and was also punched by the group.

"Elmore then chased after Mr Knowles, who had walked away, and said: 'I will glass you if you do not apologise'. The other man did not say sorry and so Elmore hit him over the head with a bottle."

Mr Knowles was taken to hospital for treatment to a cut on the back of the head. He also had injuries to his ear neck and face from the earlier confrontation, it was said.

The defendant from Gypsy Lane, Willenhall pleaded guilty to assault and was given eight months detention in a Young Offenders Institution suspended under supervision for 18 months together with a three-month night time curfew.

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