AN UNDER-AGE drinker who was taking advantage of a 50p drinks offer at Ninety-Degrees went on to commit four separate attacks in the same evening.
Daniel Patterson was 17 when he went into the bar in October of last year.
Jill Derby, prosecuting, said: “Both the defendant and the victim told the police that they had been there that evening because the alcohol was being sold cheap.”
Rob Arthur, defending Patterson, agreed that the drinks offer had an impact on the events later that night.
He said: “That evening a special offer was on in terms of alcohol. I believe the nightclub was offering drinks at 50p a go.
“That has clearly had a significant impact on this offence.
“It is accepted by Mr Patterson that he was very drunk.”
Patterson, now 18, got into a fight with the victim outside the nightclub at around 2am. The pair were seen “trading punches” before being separated.
This may have been the end of the matter but the pair were both subsequently allowed back inside the nightclub.
The trouble flared up again when Patterson caught sight of the victim at chucking out time.
Mrs Derby said: “The victim, who was stood on the pavement, was approached by the defendant and headbutted once to the face.”
The victim walked away holding his face but Patterson refused to stop.
Mrs Derby said: “Seven minutes later the defendant goes back to the victim and punches him to the face.”
The victim sat down only to be approached again by Patterson who aimed a kick to the face.
Mrs Derby said Patterson was charged with four separate offences because of the lapse in time between each attack.
Rob Arthur told the court Patterson was “genuinely remorseful” about his actions. Mr Arthur said that Patterson had previously had serious problems with rage for which he has sought help from medical professionals.
Mr Arthur added: “He believes the amount of alcohol that he consumed at Ninety-Degrees was a considerable factor.”
Patterson was sentenced to 100 hours unpaid work in the community to be completed within the next 12 months. He must also pay £100 in compensation to the victim, along with £40 in costs.
l THE Journal spoke to the charity Alcohol Concern about the problem of low price drinks.
Spokesman Graham Skeggs described the 50p offer as an “irresponsible drinks promotion”.
He said: “Licensing authorities need powers to reduce the number of venues in many town centres.
“There are probably too many when they have to compete using irresponsible drinks promotions such as this.”