Man who beat up boss after being sacked avoids prison
BOAST ABOUT COURT ‘BONUS’
A MAN who attacked his boss after being sacked from his job bragged about avoiding jail.
Ian Bolton, 37, appeared at Hull Crown Court on Wednesday, after he repeatedly punched and kicked the man he claimed had cost him his job.
After walking free from court, Bolton posted a status on Facebook just hours later which read: “Woop woop! Nice result! Suspended sentence! Bit harsh with add-ons, but a bonus all the same,” along with five middle finger emojis.
The court heard Bolton had become aggressive during a misconduct hearing with his former employers at Lazenby’s in Hull on March 1.
After he was dismissed from his position he spotted his supervisor making his way home from work the same afternoon.
“You got me sacked,” Bolton shouted aggressively. “I’m going to have you”.
Recorder Mullarkey said: “You then punched him to the left side of his face. He fell and banged his head on a kerb and you punched him repeatedly while he was on the ground.
“You also kicked him several times to the head. A former colleague intervened and dragged you away.”
The victim suffered bruises and tenderness to his head as a result of the attack.
Bolton said he was acting in self-defence, but retracted this claim and pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
His criminal record includes similar offences such as assaulting a police officer and an offence for battery, both in 2013.
Mitigating barrister Rachel Scott told the court that Bolton had been drinking heavily around this time but had made efforts in the following years to get his life back on track.
“Then, in January 2019, he found out his father was diagnosed with cancer and that waned heavily on him,” said Ms Scott.
“A month later his relationship broke down and he was forced to move out of his address and he was also in a significant amount of debt due to his previous lifestyle.
“He accepts he reacted very badly. He tells me he fully accepts he lost his temper and does express remorse for what happened on that day.”
Addressing Bolton in the dock, Recorder Mullarkey described his actions as “utterly unacceptable” but was persuaded to suspend his prison sentence.
He said: “Given the lack of convictions that are recent and the particular difficulties that led to you committing this offence I am persuaded that an immediate custodial sentence can be suspended.”
Bolton received a 12-month prison term, suspended for two years.
He must also complete ten days of rehabilitation activity requirement, the Thinking Skills programme, and 150 hours of unpaid work.
Bolton must also pay £500 in compensation to his former supervisor at a rate of £25 a month. He must also adhere to a restraining order in which he cannot approach the Lazenby’s premises in Helsinki Road, Hull.