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Man jailed after woman injured in Wolverhampton pub firework attack

A man has been jailed for four months after admitting he launched a firework which struck a woman in a busy city centre pub.

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Daniel Boffey, aged 22, was drinking in the George Wallis in Wolverhampton when he set off the dangerous banger, a court heard.

Wolverhampton Crown Court was told the firecracker was kicked across the crowded pub, eventually striking a young woman who was dancing with a group of her friends.

The woman required hospital treatment for a two-inch wound on her inner thigh as a result of the incident on March 1.

Mr Edward Soulsby, prosecuting, told the court: "The defendant let loose a firework which someone kicked out at.

"It hit the victim on the left leg, causing an injury which she described as 'painful and stinging'.

"She said it felt like a balloon had popped on her leg."

The court heard Boffey, who had drank eight or nine pints of lager and a quantity of spirits in the hours leading up to assault, apologised to the woman when he saw the damage he had inflicted.

"His friends were seen remonstrating with him in the immediate aftermath of the incident," continued Mr Soulsby.

"After his arrest the defendant told police a friend had given him the banger but he had no plans to use it.

"He had no intent to harm anyone, but his actions were reckless."

Mr Soulsby added the attack took the top level of skin off the victim's upper inner thigh and left her unable to walk properly.

Chris O'Gorman, defending, said: "There is a sad, recurring theme running through all of his offending and that is alcohol.

"Although he still drinks, it is not to the levels which he was binge drinking at in March.

"He accepted his involvement immediately, but there was no premeditation to carry out an assault."

Boffey, of Willenhall Road, Wolverhampton, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Caging him for four months, Judge John Warner said: "I accept you were in drink, but that is not an excuse. In many ways it is an aggravating feature.

"It is a miracle the injuries the young lady suffered were not worse."

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