Best pal’s punch left victim with bleeding on brain
DRUNKEN ROW OVER A POOL GAME ENDS IN COURT
A NOTTINGHAMSHIRE man was left with a serious brain injury after being punched by his best friend in an argument over a game of pool.
Gavin Sunderland struck Josh Isles, who he also employed for his kitchen fitting business, outside the Half Moon pub, in Hucknall, in March last year after the pair had been shoving each other.
Mr Isles’ head hit the curb, knocking him unconscious and leaving him with a broken nose and a bleed to the brain.
Nottingham Crown Court court heard on Wednesday the assault had given the victim sleepless nights and changed his character.
Sunderland, of Friars Close, Selston, was spared jail. The 29-yearold had shown remorse for what was a “one-off, out of character” offence, the court was told.
On the night of the incident, Sunderland and Mr Isles went on a pub crawl, visiting a Wetherspoons and the Plough & Harrow, where they drank pints, cocktails and shots of sambuca.
They then met some friends at the Half Moon, in South Street, where they played pool.
“The defendant became annoyed Mr Isles had missed a particular shot, which led to some kind of argument,” said Thomas Welshman, prosecuting.
“On the pavement outside, the defendant pushed Mr Isles several times and into the road.
“He stepped back on to the pavement and the defendant threw a single punch which hit him in the face. It caused him to fall to the ground and hit his head on the ground, where he lay motionless.”
Mitigating, James Ball said Sunderland recalled Mr Isles making a comment about his inability to have children. “He would know it was provocative and sensitive,” he said.
“It’s not a defence or an excuse but was a contextual reason.”
He pointed out churchgoing Sunderland’s lack of previous convictions and said he had not touched alcohol since the incident.
Mr Isles is expected to make a full neurological recovery, but there is a small risk of traumatic complications.
In a statement read out in court, Mr Isles said: “Going out physically drains me. I’ve been told I’ll suffer with headaches for the rest of my life. I have sleepless nights, I’m lucky if I’m asleep by 2am. This incident has not only had an affect on my life, I feel like I’m no longer an adequate dad to my children.”
He said the attack had left him unable to work and he had “lost a lot of trust in people”.
He added: “Gavin was my best friend, he had a big influence in my life. In a million years I never expected this to happen.
“He’s no longer in my life, we did a lot together and worked together but I’m not interested in bothering with him any more.”
His father, Andrew Isles, told the court: “Josh knew Gavin for a long time, I’m completely dumbfounded that he assaulted Josh,” he said.
Recalling visiting his son in hospital, he said: “He was in and out of consciousness. His face was all bloodied. You never wish to see your son this way.”
Sunderland, who pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm without intent, was given a 12-month community order, with a requirement of following a strict 7pm to 7am curfew. He was also ordered to pay £5,000 in compensation.
Recorder Stuart Sprawson said: “(The victim) doesn’t seem to look forward to life at all. That is his life for the foreseeable future and you are responsible for that.
“You are clearly saddened at the loss of your friendship and have expressed regret. It’s quite clear that this action is a one-off, out-of-character offence.”