Pub attacker fractured victim's jaw (From This Is Lancashire)

Pub attacker fractured victim's jaw

2:04pm Saturday 8th September 2007

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A BLACKBURN father-of-two who attacked a man in a pub and broke his cheekbone and jaw has avoided an immediate prison sentence.

Preston Crown Court was told that Keith Dunn had to have a plate inserted in his face and his eye socket was also fractured.

Jason Moorcroft, 39, of Tresco Close, who pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent, was sentenced to 51 weeks imprisonment suspended for 18 months.

He will also have to undertake a special programme and do 200 hours unpaid work for the community.

Moorcroft, who will have to pay £650 prosecution costs, was told by Recorder Andrew Long there were exceptional circumstances that allowed him to pass a suspended sentence.

He said: "You have done something very bad, but you are obviously a good man."

David Macro, prosecuting, said the offence took place on January 8 this year. The two men knew each other and Mr Dunn's partner was Moorcroft's cousin.

Mr Dunn alleged he was not paid for a job he had done for Moorcroft and sent him a text message of an abusive nature.

Mr Dunn had been drinking in the White Bull pub in Livesey Branch Road before the incident. Moorcroft arrived and asked him to go outside, but he refused.

Mr Marco said: "Moorcroft was very aggressive saying Mr Dunn had been saying things about him and without further warning hit his victim with his fist."

He said Moorcroft punched Mr Dunn again and kicked him several times while he was on the floor.

One witness had described 20 to 30 kicks and Moorcroft took a swing at the landlord's son who was trying to stop the assault.

He missed and hit a slate board cutting his own hand.

Mr Macro said the metal plate in Mr Dunn's cheek would be there for life.

Mr Dunn had expressed a wish that Moorcroft should not be sent to prison as he did not wish his children to be deprived of their father.

Jon Close, defending, said the offence was out of character and Moorcroft had shown regret and remorse.

He said he had a successful business and had done charity work for the NSPCC.

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