Telford soldier to pay £800 after jubilee attack

Paul Jonathon Stephenson's victim fell to the floor unconscious and had two broken teeth, a court heard. Stephenson, 25, of Glendale Gardens, Lawley, Telford, appeared before Nuneaton magistrates in Warwickshire for sentence yesterday after admitting assault on Steven Johnson.

The assault, on June 5, caused Mr Johnson actual bodily harm.

At an earlier hearing, the case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report.

Prosecutor Colin Heald said Stephenson and Mr Johnson, both serving soldiers at Gamecock Barracks, near Nuneaton, were celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

"Alcohol had been consumed by a lot of those present, including the defendant, but not the injured party," he said.

Mr Johnson went to have a cigarette and stood by a fire exit door, rather than go outside. This annoyed Stephenson, who was abusive towards him.

Stephenson grabbed his victim, pushed him in the stomach and punched him to the side of his face. Mr Johnson was knocked against the wall and fell unconscious.

The prosecutor said Mr Johnson had very little recollection of the offence against him, which he described as an unprovoked attack.

In a statement, Mr Johnson said he was hit from behind, but didn't know what happened. When he came to, Stephenson was nearby.

Two front teeth were broken and chipped, his nose was bleeding and he had a small cut behind his left eye. A dental surgeon said a nerve could be seen shining through one of the damaged teeth.

Stephenson, who had a conviction for assault at Plymouth in 2008, told magistrates: "I am completely remorseful."

Stephenson was sentenced to a 12-month community order, with 100 hours of unpaid work, and told to pay £85 prosecution costs and £800 compensation to his victim.