Shrewsbury pub attacker is spared prison
A drunken attacker from who punched a man at a Shrewsbury pub in a case of mistaken identity was lucky to avoid prison, a judge has said.
William Henry Roberts, aged 29, of Long Row, Hook-a-Gate, Shrewsbury, knocked Mark Wigley unconscious at Montgomery’s Tower, after mistaking him for an ex-partner of his then girlfriend.
The attack broke Mr Wigley’s nose and left him with psychological damage, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard.
Roberts admitted actual bodily harm.
Judge Anthony Lowe warned Roberts, who has committed two similar previous offences, that if he does it again he will go to prison.
He said: “Before I came into court and before I read what has been said and heard what Miss White has said, with the fact this is a third offence for violence, I thought you had to go away. You’re extremely lucky and you won’t have any more chances.”
Mr Phillip Beardwell, prosecuting, said Mr Wigley saw Roberts and his girlfriend having an argument.
At this point, Roberts approached Mr Wigley, and hit him with one punch, causing him to fall to the floor.
Message
Roberts then left, and the next day he sent a social media message to the victim, which said: “All I can say is I’m honestly sorry, I was mangled and thought you were someone else.”
He also asked Mr Wigley if he could do anything to stop the police getting involved.
In police interview, Roberts said he had an argument with his girlfriend about her ex-partner, and he thought the victim was him.
In a victim impact statement, Mr Wigley said his nose had to be re-broken and realigned. He also suffered a chipped tooth, and had lost confidence, leaving him anxious about being in crowds. The court also heard that the damage and loss of earnings came to £1,000.
Miss Debra White, mitigating, said Roberts was remorseful and understood his violent behaviour couldn’t continue. She said he had two small children and the prospect that custody would cost him his job and home.
Judge Lowe said: “You need to understand you are a father of two sons and this is not what they want to see. You are a role model and next time you think about having another drink, think about them.”
