A WORCESTER man has been given a 12-month community order after attacking a stranger and threatening to stab him.
Stuart O’Boyle pleaded guilty at Worcester Magistrates’ Court on Friday (July 3) to assaulting Thomas Campion and damaging the door of one car and the bonnet of another.
Sarah Belshah, prosecuting, told the court the victim pulled up in his car to visit a friend on June 4, when the 25-year-old grabbed his arm and said ‘Who do you think you are?’ and ‘Do you know who my mates are?’
Mr Campion pushed O’Boyle away but O’Boyle grabbed his arms again and threatened to stab him, although he was not carrying a knife, the court heard.
The victim pushed him a second time and went to drive off in his car when the defendant threw a brick that damaged the rear door and wing of the vehicle.
Magistrates heard Campion asked O’Boyle why he did it and he replied that he would not pay for anything. He pushed the defendant away from him again but he lunged toward him causing him to fall on the other car and damage the bonnet.
The victim managed to strike O’Boyle in the jaw and then called the police. He tried to run away but Mr Campion chased him before officers caught up with him and he was arrested.
Defence solicitor, David Ollivere, said: “Mr O’Boyle has never had the benefit of stand alone probation intervention but has served a number of terms of imprisonment, which clearly does not work for him.
“He has not come to the attention of the authorities for some time as he has had some stability in his life, he had employment, accommodation and a relationship which ended in the two weeks preceding the incident.”
He told magistrates O’Boyle was thoroughly ashamed of his behaviour which was caused by him losing his employment, accommodation and partner and getting highly intoxicated, but now had the support of family members who were giving him a place to stay.
Chair of the bench, Sue Perry, said: “It’s not a very nice act of behaviour and we are concerned that you can not remember a lot of it. It’s not the right situation to be in, but we have heard you have had difficulties in your personal life.”
O’Boyle was given a community order with a 30-day rehabilitation requirement and 200 hours of unpaid work.
He was also ordered to pay £100 in compensation to Mr Campion as well as £110 in court costs, a £60 victim surcharge and a £150 court charge.
