Whitchurch man who broke friend's jaw in two places avoids jail

Brian Stockton, 31, of Meadow View Road, Whitchurch, attacked Carl Benbow at his home in the town on September 22, after both had been drinking and become embroiled in an argument.

Mr Benbow required plates in his jaw and still has no teeth following the incident.

But he said he did not want his friend to go to prison for the offence and Judge Jim Tindal imposed a suspended sentence on Stockton.

Prosecutor Howard Searle told Shrewsbury Crown Court that Stockton had pleaded guilty on the day he was due to go to trial in June, after he had said he was acting in self defence.

On September 22, the pair had met up around 3pm, and Stockton invited Mr Benbow to his home, where they were playing video games, drinking cider and smoking cannabis.

There were no issues until 10pm, when a conversation began about a friend of Mr Benbow, who Stockton had a grievance with.

There was a dispute, and as a result Stockton said Mr Benbow butted him to the side of the head, before he elbowed him back, and gave him "some digs."

Mr Benbow said Stockton was then on top of him punching him to the head and ribs 'five to six times,' and he suffered bruising to his chest.

Mr Searle added that the next day Mr Benbow went to hospital, when he discovered his jaw was broken in two places and had two plates fitted.

He also had teeth removed, and in a victim impact statement said he still had no teeth, struggled to eat, and had no feeling in the middle of his jaw and chin.

He added he had been to job interviews but said having no teeth was affecting his confidence.

Paul Smith, defending, said the pre-sentence report suggested a suspended sentence and the defendant was trying to make use of his life.

Judge Tindal said Stockton said in the pre-sentence report he still did not understand why he was in trouble and it was testament to the victim that he did not want Stockton to go to prison.

He said: "Mr Benbow knows you better than I do, and recognises that you may sometimes be full of bluster.

"You will likely benefit from a sentence in the community and this reduces your risk of re-offending."

Judge Tindal went along with the recommendation and sentenced Stockton to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years with 100 hours unpaid work and 30 days of rehabilitation.

He added: "Think yourself lucky that Mr Benbow has enough about him to recognise he can forgive you and you should be grateful.

"If not you might well have been going to prison."

Stockton was also ordered to pay £100 compensation to Mr Benbow.