Cheap booze led to street attack

CHEAP booze on sale in Warrington town centre led to a cowardly attack from behind which put a man in hospital for three days.
Daniel Bell, of Warrington, had to have his jaw wired after the vicious late night attack in Bridge Street.
Immediately afterwards his drunken attacker admitted: “I think I’ve got the wrong guy,” Warrington Crown Court was told.
Matthew Thomas, 21, of Elwy Street, Toxteth, Liverpool, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm on Mr Bell and was given an eight month jail sentence, suspended for two years.
He was also made the subject of a 12 month supervision order.
Mark Connor, prosecuting, said Mr Bell was talking to a friend outside a kebab shop on Bridge Street when Thomas approached him from behind and punched him to the side of the face.
Friends of the victim identified Thomas to police when they arrived on the scene. Mr Bell was taken to hospital and detained for three days.
Simon Berkson, defending, said there were numerous cheap drinks offers in most of the bars in the town centre and this was the prime reason for the incident.
His client had had far too much to drink as a result had acted out of character.
He had no previous convictions and had not entered Warrington town centre since the incident.
Judge David Hale told Thomas: “It was a serious incident of violence for no reason whatsoever. On balance, I can suspend the sentence because of your previous good character.”