‘Nasty piece of work’ glassed partner in face during pub row
...AND NOT THE FIRST TIME HE HAS DONE IT
A “NASTY piece of work” glassed his on-off partner in the face during an argument in a pub.
Derby Crown Court heard how drunk Anthony Britland brought the glass down on the victim after she had pushed him away.
The hearing was told how she has been left with permanent scars “she is embarrassed of” following the attack.
This is not the first time the 29-year-old has glassed a victim, having previously been jailed for the same offence in 2009.
Jailing him for 18 months, Judge Shaun Smith QC said: “You are a very nasty piece of work when you are in drink or are on drugs.
“The glass smashed in her face and she received cuts and scarring she is embarrassed of. You said she brought it on herself and blaming others for what you have done is a trait you have.
“You were in a pub, there was some pushing and you say she gave you a slap. Well your reaction to that was completely over the top.”
Noel Philo, prosecuting, said the incident took place in a pub in Market Street, Clay Cross, on the evening of January 17.
He said Britland and the woman had been in an on-off relationship with each other for 11 years and on this occasion they had agreed to meet.
Mr Philo said the evening started well with them dancing but soon afterwards an argument began during which he followed her into the ladies’ toilets. He said: “They came out of the toilet and the complainant started to put her coat on.
“Her friends said it was clear she wanted to go home rather than be in his company. The defendant was described as being ‘rather needy’ and she pushed him away several times. “He had a pint glass of beer he was transferring from hand to hand. He came at her and she pushed him away with a sort of slap. “He held the glass up and then pushed it straight into her face causing it to smash.” Mr Philo said the victim suffered cuts to her eyelid and cheek which required glueing. He said: “She has got permanent scarring and he suggested that somehow she had brought this on herself because she slapped him. The glass clearly broke – he broke it in her face.” Britland, of Stollard Street, Clay Cross, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning grievous bodily harm.
As well as the jail term, he was handed a five-year restraining order not to go within 100m of anywhere he suspects her to be living and working or to contact her.
William Bennett, mitigating, said his client did not blame anyone but himself for his actions. He said: “He knows that hitting someone else with a glass is completely unacceptable and his recollections of the events of that evening are not clear as he admits he was very drunk.
“It was not planned, there was only one blow. He is ashamed of himself.”
He held the glass up and then pushed it straight into her face causing it to smash Noel Philo, prosecuting