West Yorkshire man sentenced after ‘one punch’ incident in Skipton
It happened last December
A man's been jailed, after a serious assault outside a pub in Skipton.
Ciaran Spencer, 31, of West Yorkshire was sentenced on Monday 29 September, after a ‘one punch’ incident left the victim with a fractured skull and two bleeds on the brain.
On Friday 13 December at 11.30pm, the victim was outside a pub on Skipton high street after enjoying drinks with friends. Spencer was in the same pub, having a work Christmas night out.
As one of Spencer’s colleagues left the pub, they had an argument with the victim and others. They then returned into the pub to tell the group, in particular Spencer, about the incident. They tapped Spencer on the shoulder, signalled him to come outside, and the group made their way out to the front of the pub.
Spencer left the pub, slammed the door on the way out, walked straight up to the victim and, without warning or a discussion, punched him in the face.
After the incident, Spencer stood near the victim for some time, before slowly returning to the pub and leaving via the back door, as police arrived at the scene.
The blow knocked the victim to the ground and he remained there without moving until the emergency services arrived. He was taken to hospital by officers, where he remained for several days to have treatment for a fractured skull and two bleeds on the brain.
Spencer pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm (GBH) and was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court. He has been given a custodial sentence of 18 months, suspended for 24 months. He will be under a curfew for three months with electronic monitoring. He has to engage in rehabilitation and 100 hours of unpaid work within 12 months. As well as this, he has been ordered to pay £1,500 in compensation to the victim, £150 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service and a surcharge of £187.
Speaking about the incident, Detective Constable Nicky Wareham said: “In a moment of aggression, Spencer forgot just how dangerous one punch incidents can be.
“In a split second it changed not only his life, but also the life of the victim, who suffered serious injuries.
“If you are faced with a potentially violent confrontation, we wholeheartedly echo the One Punch UK advice to stop, think and walk away.
“By not acting in anger and lashing out, it could well be the best decision you have ever made - for everyone concerned.”
For more information on ‘one punch’ incidents and the seriousness of the effects it can have, please visit One Punch UK | United Kingdom | Charity
Seek professional support for drink-related issues, either for yourself or someone who you are concerned about:
Drink Drug Hub website
North Yorkshire Rise – young people's specialist drug and alcohol service- freephone 08000 14 14 80 (option 2)
North Yorkshire Horizons - adult specialist drug and alcohol service - freephone 08000 14 14 80
City of York Drug and Alcohol Service - 01904 464 680