Jealous chef spared a prison term after apology on Facebook

♦ A chef who broke a man’s jaw has walked free from court after a judge accepted his apology on Facebook was sufficient remorse.

Jonathan Brown, 23, saw Nicola Sharp, his exgirlfriend, kissing Mark Walsh outside a cocktail bar. He grabbed Mr Walsh and punched him up to 13 times in the face. Mr Walsh, 23, had a metal plate inserted to repair the fracture. Brown apologised on social media two weeks later.

At Manchester Crown Court, Brown, from Swinton, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm and was given a suspended jail sentence. The cook, who has previously been convicted of assault and battery, was ordered to pay £1,500 compensation.

Judge David Hernandez said: “You had no property rights or ownership over Miss Sharp. She said the relationship was over and you did not accept that. I accept that you are remorseful. If I were to send you to prison you would lose your employment and all of the consequences that go with that. I accept that you have taken steps to improve your behaviour.”