Post by QPR Report on Oct 2, 2009 16:09:27 GMT
Watford Observer
TCHC businessman no recollection of smashing glass in QPR fan's face in Moon Under the Water
4:27pm Friday 2nd October 2009
A drunk Watford fan who smashed a glass into the face of an opposition supporter without warning has been given a 12-month suspended prison sentence.
Dominic Wade, 25, of Chalk Hill, Watford, pleaded guilty to causing GBH to Paul Blessing, a QPR fan, after attacking the 40-year-old in the Moon Under the Water pub in Watford High Street after the match on Saturday, November 22.
St Albans Crown Court heard how a drunk Wade had twice approached a group of QPR fans in the pub and been told to “go away”.
However, he came back a third time with a glass in his hand and without warning smashed it into the face of Mr Blessing, just missing his eyes, causing cuts to his forehead and above his left eye.
Wade was arrested in the town centre covered in blood and when he woke up in the police station was so drunk he asked what had happened to him, thinking he had been attacked.
Wade has reprimands and cautions including a drink related offence at a sporting event in England.
The prosecution also pointed to an incident in Prague saying Wade was deported after a football related public order offence.
However, the defence said he was celebrating a friend's 21st birthday and had been encouraged to run across parked cars while drunk. His father had paid for the vehicle damage.
Wade's defence handed 15 written references to Judge Marie Catterson from family, friends, neighbours and colleagues, who held him in “high esteem”.
The court was told Wade was a man of “considerable ability”. He is a gateway manager for TCHC (The Consultancy Home Counties) a consultancy firm in Watford and had done well educationally with three A levels and a degree from Portsmouth University.
He is also a winner of Best New Graduate in the Hertfordshire Business Awards.
Wade now recognised he had a drink problem and has sought help from Alcoholics Anonymous, the court heard.
He could remember little of what happened apart from being punched and kicked on the floor after Mr Blessing put him there.
Wade earns £25,000 a year and offered to pay £1,500 compensation. He was genuinely sorry for what he had done which was “completely out of character” the court heard.
Judge Catterson said bearing in mind all the mitigating factors she could “just” suspend Wade's sentence.
Wade's 12-month prison sentence will be suspended for two years.
Imposing sentence Judge Catterson said: “Having been, as a number of others had that day, a spectator at a Watford and Queens Park Rangers football match you went to the Moon Under the Water public house.
“You had been drinking all day and had a glass in your hand and put it into another man's face without provocation.
“There was no reason, if there ever can be a reason, for behaving in that way.
“The victim reacted and put you to the ground straight away.
“He suffered cuts to his face which are graphically illustrated in the photographs. As he said the glass you hit him with only just missed his eyes.
“It is quite plain you have ability, are intelligent, well educated and in a good job.
“You are not of completely good character despite the high esteem held in by those that know you.
“It is clear you have a problem with excessive drinking of alcohol.
“To put a glass in someone's face is horrendously dangerous, but what is even more shocking is you were so drunk you had no memory of doing it.”
Wade was banned from licensed premises for four months, must comply with an alcohol treatment requirement and must carry out 100 hours unpaid work.
Mr Blessing was awarded £1,500 compensation and a contribution of £450 must be paid towards the prosecution costs.
Judge Catterson added as Wade left the dock to be reunited with his family and friends sat in court: “Mr Wade it is a huge surprise to people that know you to find you here. Make sure you do not come back
www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/4662543.Watford_fan_who_glassed_QPR_supporter_gets_suspended_sentence/
