Schoolteacher attacked in Redcar nightclub on his birthday

Shaun Hodgson grabbed hold of the man’s jumper saying ‘so you think you’re hard’ before punching him in the face several times before the victim managed to escape his clutches and flee the Blue Lounge in Redcar.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the victim told door staff what had happened to him before the police were called and Hodgson was arrested at the scene.

Jenny Haigh, prosecuting, said the school teacher was left covered in blood and needed medical treatment for his injuries.

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She added: “The defendant said – ‘so you think you are hard, do you?’ before throwing a number of punches to his head. He managed to get away and didn’t fight back as he isn’t that type of person.

“During the assault, his glasses were knocked from his face and it will cost him £350 to replace them.

“Once outside he told a doorman he had been assaulted, the police were called and the defendant was arrested.

“He was treated by a nurse and he had a cut to his face blood all over his clothes.”

The Blue Lounge, Redcar (Image: Google)

In a victim impact statement, the 30-year-old said the assault had left him shocked and upset as well as ruining his birthday.

Hodgson, of Kirkleatham Lane, Redcar, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm following the assault on October 10 last year.

Tabitha Buck, mitigating, said the former serviceman and married air conditioning engineer had been drinking on the night and has no real recollection of what happened.

“Alcohol has clearly affected his recollection,” she added. “He is devastated over what took place.”

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Judge Paul Watson KC sentenced Hodgson to eight months in custody but suspended the sentence for 18 months.

He said: “It’s right that you are of good character, you served in the armed forces and you are in work.

“I accept that this was a one off and why you behaved in this manner, heaven only knows.”

Hodgson was ordered to attend 32 rehabilitation activity requirement days, carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £1,350 in compensation to his victim.