A 25-YEAR-OLD man who smashed a shop window and hit another man with a beer can – causing a cut to his lip – has been fined £1,300.
Charlie Neild, who admitted charges of malicious damage and grave and criminal assault, was also banned from pubs and bars for six months.
Advocate Howard Tobias, prosecuting, told the Magistrate’s Court that the assault happened on the evening of 28 October, when Neild threw an empty beer can outside Krafty J’s bar in Bath Street.
The can struck the hand of a man who was lifting a drink to his mouth at the time – causing him to hit himself in the mouth and sustain a cut.
Advocate Tobias said the injury was not serious but was classified as grave and criminal assault because the beer can counted as a weapon.
He added that, on 30 July, Neild smashed the window of Hammonds furniture shop in Cheapside.
The court heard that Neild had no previous convictions, so Advocate Chris Baglin, defending, suggested excluding him from licensed premises.
Relief Magistrate Sarah Fitz agreed and told Neild: “It is clear that drink is the issue.”
She also fined him £500 for the broken window and £800 for the assault.
