A MAN threw a punch in an unprovoked attack on a stranger causing a displaced fracture to his jaw bone.

Durham Crown Court was told the complainant was standing outside his home in Willington talking to a couple of friends who called, at about 5.30/45pm, on Thursday February 3.

After they had been chatting for about ten minutes the defendant, Craig Coney, came walking along the footpath outside the property.

Tabitha Buck, prosecuting, said he appeared drunk and was stumbling, as he engaged in conversation with the group standing outside the house.

Miss Buck told the court that Coney said he knew the householder’s father and explained he had been drinking to mark the anniversary of the death of a family member.

But she said after further comments were made he, “got into the face”, of the man standing outside his house, saying: “If you have any s**t to say, say it.”

The householder replied that as he did not know Coney, why would he want to say, “any s**t”.

Miss Buck said at this Coney suddenly launched a single blow with his clenched right fist to the man’s face.

The victim managed to stay on his feet but stepped back into the garden feeling stunned.

A few seconds later blood began to pour from his mouth and he asked Coney why he had hit him, but he could not understand his reply.

Miss Buck said the defendant then walked off and the victim went into his house, describing feeling, “ten-out-of-ten”, on the pain scale.

He was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham at 7pm but was transferred to Sunderland Royal Hospital where it was confirmed he had suffered a fracture to the jaw bone and had to undergo corrective surgery.

The court heard that the 29-year-old defendant, who was arrested days later, indicated his guilty plea to inflicting grievous bodily harm when he appeared before magistrates last month.

He was recalled to prison to serve the unserved part of a previous 20-month sentence for aggravated vehicle taking, assault and witness intimidation, imposed at the court in September 2020.

Read more: Defendant is already serving 20-month prison sentence

The magistrates sent the latest case to the crown court to be sentenced.

Miss Buck told the court that the defendant has 23 convictions for 52 offences, committed since December 2006.

She said, “a significant number” were for aggressive behaviour.

Ian West, in mitigation, conceded the defendant has, “a bad record” and described the latest offence as, “effectively a spontaneous assault”.

Mr West said it is hoped the complainant’s injury could be treated in a way that leads to a full recovery.

Judge James Adkin said it was still an injury which required an operation under anaesthetic.

He told Coney: “For seemingly no reason whatsoever you punched him in the face, breaking his jaw and he had to have an operation under anaesthetic to reset his jaw bone.

“This was a nasty injury that necessitated hospitalisation and an operation.”

He imposed a ten-month prison sentence and also made Coney subject of a restraining order forbidding him from approaching or contacting his victim for five years.

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