Southampton man walks free after attack in pub

Matthew Whitlock, 26, was told he could go home by a judge despite the attack in a pub in Southampton being described as a ‘serious’ case.

Southampton Crown Court heard Whitlock punched the stranger in the face – in The Brass Monkey pub in Shirley – so hard that his jaw was fractured in two places.

The victim had to undergo surgery as a result and suffered a crown fracture to his teeth and a swollen face.

Prosecuting, Keely Harvey said his actions followed him ‘smashing up the windscreen’ of a car belonging to the friend of an ex-partner.

She said: “On September 10 last year, Mr Whitlock and his partner had been having messages passing back and forth, where he was quite clearly not happy with her, and sent messages saying she was ‘going to get blasted’.

“CCTV footage shows him marching up, quite determined, to the bonnet of the car belonging to her friend and smashing up the windscreen.

“It’s following from that that Mr Whitlock then entered the pub and got into a situation where he punched the victim.”

She added: “It was ultimately only one punch, but the build-up to it had been the defendant getting in the face of the victim, and, from what we saw on video, Whitlock punched him.

“During trial, he claimed he was defending himself, when the victim could be seen not even raising his hand.”

READ MORE: Defendant celebrates walking free from court after Christmas Eve fight

Whitlock was convicted by a jury of inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent.

Mitigating, Audrey Archer said Whitlock is keen to turn over a new leaf.

She said: “He has exhibited maturity and has indicated to me he doesn’t want to find himself back in Winchester prison.

“He is certain in himself he will not be reoffending.

“This was an impulsive and unplanned assault on the victim.”

Passing sentence, Judge Brian Forster KC urged Whitlock to ‘keep a low profile’.

He said: “I have to consider the public interest in the case, so I intend to impose a community order of two years, so he is going home today.

“You were convicted by a jury, but it is apparent that you now see things differently.

“Because I am giving you a real opportunity, I reserve any breaches to the order to myself, so you can imagine what will happen if you come back to court.

“Try to get the help you can, and I hope you find yourself in a better place.”

He was handed an exclusion from The Brass Monkey by Judge Forster.

Whitlock must also complete a Thinking Skills Programme and 45 days rehabilitation.

A jury cleared him of perverting the course of public justice.

He had denied all charges.