Man hit in face with glass bottle

Andrew Scott had been out in Whaley Bridge with friends on September 20, returning to New Mills at around 11.30pm, High Peak Magistrates’ Court heard.

He was sitting on a bench outside a takeaway when Nathan James Courtenay approached and accused him of owing him £10, prosecutor John Cooper said.

Mr Scott swore at him and Courtenay then suddenly hit him in the face with a bottle, causing him to fall backwards, hitting his head on a bin as he fell.

Mr Scott was taken to Stepping Hill Hospital where he had to have stitches in his face and CT scans but no broken bones were discovered.

Courtenay, 19, of Fernilee Close, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Representing himself in court, he told the magistrates he was sorry.

And mitigating on his behalf, his father added that he hadn’t intended to hit Mr Scott with the bottle and that he realised he had done wrong. He added that he had suffered sleepless nights since the assault and that it wouldn’t happen again.

Chairman of the bench Bob Graham said: “We find this is a category two offence in our guidelines because of the use of a weapon.

“The starting point in our guidelines is 26 weeks custody but on this occasion we’re stepping back from custody.

“You’re a very lucky man.

“We’re stepping back because the bottle wasn’t intentionally used, it was a single blow and it seems to us that the complainant was also aggressive towards you.”

Courtenay was given a 12-month community with 200 hours’ unpaid work and an eight-week curfew from 7pm to 5am on Saturdays and Sundays.

He must also pay £250 compensation to Mr Scott, £85 costs and a £60 surcharge.