Shropshire Star

Telford worker punched boss after he was sacked

A man who assaulted his bosses at work after being fired for drinking during his lunch break was in breach of a suspended prison sentence, a court heard.

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Richard Hancock, 25, of Lord Murray Drive, Telford, admitted two counts of common assault which breached a suspended prison sentence at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday.

Judge Peter Barrie sentenced Hancock to 20 weeks in prison for breaching the suspended sentence and a further six weeks for the assaults. The court heard Hancock, who was working for

JBS Waste Management Ltd in Stafford Park, Telford, was dismissed after bosses suspected he had been drinking alcohol at work.

Mark Rees, prosecuting, said: "The defendant was told by the owner of the company, John Neill, and production manager Douglas Baddiel that he was being dismissed.

"He became aggressive and threatening to Mr Neill and Mr Baddiel. He approached Mr Baddiel and repeatedly punched him to the face and then to the body. Mr Neill said he would call the police, to which the defendant said if he did he would kill him.

"Mr Neill was able to push the defendant away and during the fracas he sustained injuries to his face and wrist. Mr Baddiel had injuries to his face and stomach.

"When interviewed by the police, the defendant said he had consumed one can of lager on his lunch break." The court heard how in June last year Hancock was given a suspended prison sentence for affray.

Sarah Cooper, defending, asked for the suspended sentence not be activated and said her client was taking an anger management course. She said: "It's fair to say my client hasn't had the best start in life and sometimes struggles to control his emotions.

"After this incident he phoned me, we made arrangements and he volunteered himself to the police. That shows an insight that this young man has not shown before.

"He is a young man who is maturing significantly."

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