Visitor’s bad night out

On a ‘‘very bad Friday night’’, Jaxon Leach assaulted a man, then threw him through a window when he tried to flee. Leach, 20, of Blenheim, was sentenced on charges of assault with intent to injure and injuring with reckless disregard for the safety of others in the Nelson District Court on Tuesday. Judge David Ruth said that on June 13 last year, Leach was visiting Nelson for a friend’s birthday and was in a Bridge St bar, where the victim and a female friend were also present. At 1.50am, both groups crossed Bridge St to Buxton Square. ‘‘One of your friends became upset with the victim and assaulted him, kicking him in the back,’’ Ruth said. Leach struck the victim, who fell to the ground. ‘‘Once he got to his feet, you demanded he continue to fight,’’ Ruth said. The victim backed away, but Leach hit him several times and kneed him twice in the head. The victim fled, but Leach caught up to him on the other side of the square, where he threw him through a window. The victim was knocked unconscious, and received bruising and cuts to his head. Defence lawyer Steven Zindel said Leach had alcohol problems and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and was not taking his medication at the time of the assault. ’’It was just a very bad Friday night.’’ Ruth sentenced Leach to four months’ community detention and supervision, with a curfew. He was ordered to pay $750 to his victim, and $1056 for the window.