Man broke eye socket with punch near Wolverhampton nightclub
A father of three, who behaved ‘completely out of character’ when he hit a man while Christmas revellers were leaving a night club, has been spared jail.
The single punch from Keith Upcott floored Simon Hill who was badly hurt when he fell to the ground face first, the judge heard.
The victim was knocked unconscious, suffering a fractured nose and eye socket – injuries that cost the self employed kitchen fitter up to £12,000 in lost earnings, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.
He is still waiting for surgery to repair nerve damage which has prevented him from fully opening his right eye since the December 22 attack.
The 38-year-old defendant and victim were in separate groups enjoying a festive night out at The Planet in Wolverhampton city centre during which one party accused the other of taking their drinks, it was claimed.
The matter appeared to have been resolved when Upcott threw a punch at Mr Hall as the customers left the club.
The victim had adopted a defensive pose while talking to another member of the defendant’s group when Upcott struck, said Mr Howard Searle, prosecuting, who continued: “He went over a security guard and delivered one punch that hit Mr Hill from behind.”
Mr Henry Skudra, defending Upcott, said: “He was instantly regretful and remorseful at what he had done.”
Upcott from Moathouse Lane West, Wood End admitted wounding. He was given a year in jail suspended for 18 months with 250 hours unpaid work, a two month night time curfew and was ordered to pay £2,000 compensation for the victim.
