Drunk attacked man after hearing paedophile rumour

He pleads guilty to one charge of common assault

A MAN out for a walk with his girlfriend was violently attacked by a drunk - who accused him of being a paedophile.

Leicester Magistrates’ Court heard the victim was in Shepshed town centre on May 8 when Jason Smith started yelling at him and threatening to attack him.

Prosecutor Sally Bedford said the victim told Smith: “Don’t touch my girlfriend or I’ll come for you”. He then walked away from the 32-yearold.

But Smith got into his car and drove ahead before getting out of his car and running towards his victim again and knocked him down with punches to his face and neck.

“The defendant ran towards him and punched him to the face twice,” Miss Bedford said.

“He then went to strike him with his foot, although he didn’t land the full kick.

“The victim got to his feet and the defendant got back into his car and made off.

“The defendant was interviewed and he said he had heard some reported rumour the victim was a paedophile and as a result decided to chase him and attack him.”

The court heard Smith, of Brook Street, Shepshed , was subject to a suspended sentence at the time of the attack, having been convicted of shoplifting in May of last year.

The father-of-nine wept as the court heard how he had struggled with a heroin addiction in the past and had been been sexually abused by his mother’s former partner when he was young.

Wayne Hardy, representing Smith, told the court: “It’s a strange case.

“The defendant had it in his head the victim was a sex offender.

“He knows he should not have assaulted the complainant as he did.

“He was extremely intoxicated and he tells me he wouldn’t have committed the offence if he were sober.

“He realises he needs help. While he has stopped the abuse of drugs he still has a problem with alcohol.”

Smith, who pleaded guilty to one charge of common assault, was given a 12-month community order, with 15 days he will have to spend working with probation tackling his alcohol problem.

He was also ordered to pay £85 compensation to his victim and £85 in court costs.