Glassing rival 'was my biggest mistake', trial hears
A man who glassed a love rival has called his moment of madness the biggest mistake of his life.
Jack Evans said he was "not proud" of "lashing out" at Keiran McDermott when he appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court.
The court had previously heard that Evans headbutted and punched Kieran McDermott before crashing the glass into the side of his head after seeking him out during a late-night drinking session.
Evans had just started seeing Mr McDermott's ex-girlfriend Melissa Angell and was "angry" with him because he thought he had treated her badly, the court was told.
Evans, of Walcot Gardens in Chirbury, is standing trial after denying causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr McDermott during the attack on the playing fields in Bishop's Castle on May 30 last year.
Evans has admitted the assault but denied punching Mr McDermott after the glassing and also having to be pulled off his victim to stop the sustained assault.
Evans, taking to the stand at court yesterday, said: "I just lashed out and it was a stupid mistake.
"I do remember what I did and I am not proud about it. I got angry and I did lash out."
Miss Laura Hobson, prosecuting, suggested Evans had intentionally gone over to Mr McDemott, who required stitches from his injuries, to cause him serious harm.
She said Evans also had to be pulled away, which was the only reason the assault had stopped.
Evans denied those claims and said after the glassing he had stopped punching Mr McDemott.
He said: "I punched him a few times and I fell on the floor myself.
"I picked up the glass and without realising I hit him with the glass.
"It's not a series of events that I have just made up.
"I had been in the pub before that and I had been pouring a bottle into a pint glass, which is why I had it with me.
"When the attack started I had the glass in my hand, I punched him a few times, and then I put the glass in his face.
"I was not thinking and was not in the right frame of mind at the time.
"I had not intended to hit him with the glass when I went over there.
"I totally regret it and it was the biggest mistake of my life."
Mr McDermott, who had broken up with Miss Angell two weeks before the attack, was taken to hospital by ambulance and needed 12 stitches to five different cuts on his face.
He had previously said he had been left permanently scarred as a result of the attack.
The trial continues.
