Stanley thug jailed for glassing man in head with pint…

Stanley thug jailed for glassing man in head with pint glass at social club

A thug who threw a pint glass at a man before glassing another in the head during a disturbance in a social club has been jailed.

Alan Hunt, also known as Alan Smith, started trouble at a Stanley social club on August 3 this year after offending a man by using "racist language". The 21-year-old, who was with his dad, then went on to throw a pint glass at a man's head, before glassing another man who had been entering the club after going out to buy food.

Hunt, of Lime Street, Stanley, appeared at Durham Crown Court via link to be sentenced for wounding with intent and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He had pleaded guilty to the offences.

John Crawford, prosecuting, said before the incident, there had been an argument which involved Hunt and his dad at the Excelsior Club in Stanley. The court was told that Hunt had been "using racist language" and had offended one of the drinkers in the club. Mr Crawford said: "There was pushing and shoving and the defendant was asked to leave. He then ran back through the pub and grabbed two pint glasses. Upon exiting, he was arguing with others and threw one glass into the crowd of people which struck a man in the face."

Hunt continued to "scrap, push and shove" with others in the pub before making his way outside. As this happened, another man was making his way into the club with food he'd just bought. But as he began to enter, Hunt grabbed him. Mr Crawford said: "The defendant grabs him from behind, pulls him and hits him in the face with his fist, including the glass in his hand." The glassing left the man with scarring to his head.

The court heard Hunt had nine previous convictions for 10 offences, including affray, and was on a suspended sentence at the time of the pub incident. The court was told there had been "issues" with his compliance with the suspended sentence.

Tony Davis, defending, said Hunt had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and is "a young man who has not yet reached full maturity". He said: "The injuries in either case were not particularly serious. There is a troubled background with the defendant who has not had sufficient guidance in terms of how to behave." Mr Davis added Hunt has "little recollection of what happened".

Sentencing Hunt, Judge James Adkin, said: "You started trouble using racist language, offending a man who objected due to his German heritage. You offered to fight him and then argued with another man. You then threw a pint glass, hitting a man in the head. Another man, who had left the club to get food, was making his way back to the entrance. As he made his way up the steps, you grabbed him from behind and smashed him on the head with a pint glass, causing a wound to the side of his forehead."

Hunt was jailed for five years and nine months.

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