Thug who kicked friend like a football spared jail after victim's plea to judge
A drunk thug who punched and kicked his friend 'like a football' has been spared an immediate stint behind bars after a plea for clemency from the victim.
Patrik Tome and Daniel Mazwasky had both downed large amounts of vodka before violence flared in West Bromwich.
Wolverhampton Crown Court heard this week how the fight broke out along the ring road near the Metro station on November 8.
Polish-born Tome, aged 26, rained down blows on his pal after knocking him to the ground.
Miss Emma Wynne-Owen, prosecuting, explained: "Tome was seen straddling the other man on the pavement and punching him over and over again.
"Then he started kicking the side of Mr Mazwasky like a football before walking off."
The battered and bruised victim was taken to hospital, where he refused to allow his medical records to be disclosed to the police.
He also declined to cooperate with their inquiry into the incident, which was all captured on CCTV, the court heard.
But Mr Mazwasky later wrote a letter to the judge insisting he held no grudge and still regarded his attacker as a friend.
Mr Ekwall Tiwana, defending, said: "The alcohol made the defendant behave completely out of character and acted as a great anaesthetic for the person who was sadly beaten.
"The defendant is well regarded in the Polish community and has now given up drink."
Tome from Herbert Road, West Bromwich, pleaded guilty to assault and was given a four-month jail sentence suspended under supervision for two years with 150 hours unpaid work.
Recorder Richard Benson QC told him: "Your behaviour was very unpleasant and potentially very dangerous but I take into account the letter written to the court by the injured party in which he makes clear that your friendship continues and he holds no ill feeling towards you."
