Thug must pay £6,000 compensation over Leeds pub car park assault
Lee Fennuk was spared an immediate prison sentence but was ordered to pay compensation after a court heard how the man had suffered life-changing injuries.
Fennuk, 34, launched into the assault outside the Gascoigne Arms, Garforth, Leeds, after an earlier altercation inside the pub on July 16 last year.
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Hide AdAppeal: Public wanted to help find wanted man in West YorkshireLeeds Crown Court heard the victim intervened to try to calm Fennuk when he argued with his girlfriend and threatened to "knock her out."
The victim, who knew Fennuk, managed to calm him down but there was further trouble later in the evening.
Caroline Abraham, prosecuting, said Fennuk followed his girlfriend into the toilets at 11.40pm and the victim went to intervene as he feared she would be attacked.
Fennuk and the other man grappled in the doorway before customers separated them
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Hide AdMiss Abraham said Fennuk then attacked the victim in the car park.
The victim suffered a badly dislocated ankle and needed surgery the next day to have screws and plates fitted to his leg.
He had to undergo another operation months later and is still suffering from the injuries.
The court heard the injuries have affected the victim's work as a driver and he may not make a full recovery.
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Hide AdFennuk, of Ramshead Grove, Seacroft, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm.
Alexander Menary, mitigating, said Fennuk was ashamed of what he had done and accepted the victim did not deserve to be attacked.
Mr Menary said Fennuk's partner was expecting a child and his family were financially dependant upon him.
He said Fennuk was able to pay compensation to the victim if he was not sent to custody.
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Hide AdFennuk was given a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years, told to do 250 hours unpaid work and pay £6,000 compensation.
Recorder Bryan Cox, QC, said: "You have come within a hair's breadth of going to prison today.
"The way you behaved was totally unacceptable. It was a disgrace."