A Huddersfield amateur boxer who attacked a man in a pub causing him a fractured cheekbone has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Judge Tom Bayliss QC told Sean Michael Reynolds at Leeds Crown Court today he had committed a serious offence but he had read glowing references about his work with the Rawthorpe Amateur Boxing Club.

As a result he was able to draw back from immediate custody because of all the good he had done in the past with schoolchildren and others.

“You view yourself as a pillar of the community,” the judge told Reynolds. “This is no way for a pillar of the community to behave. You have got to grow up and take responsibility for your actions.

“You punched this man to the side of the head, to all intents an unprovoked attack. You had been drinking and it was in licensed premises. I am satisfied you did not intend to cause the serious harm you caused but no doubt the effect was long lasting.”

Reynolds, 26 of Snapes Fold, Almondbury, admitted causing grievous bodily harm to Jason Dowling. He was sentenced to six months in prison suspended for 12 months with 30 days activity work.

David Lampitt, prosecuting, said Mr Dowling was out with friends on February 16 and was having a drink with his back to the bar in Bar Chaos in Huddersfield town centre when Reynolds walked over and suddenly punched him to the left side of his head.

“He then grabbed him by the throat and threw him to the floor,” he said.

Mr Dowling got up and left and subsequently went to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary where he was found to have an undisplaced fracture to his left cheekbone and the floor of his eye socket as well as a cut lip.

Adam Birkby, representing Reynolds, said there was a history of ill feeling between him and the complainant and that night there had been some goading.

A probation officer told the court she had interviewed Reynolds and he was thoroughly ashamed of his behaviour that night.

He indicated he had drunk four bottles of beer but did not blame that for his actions which he blamed on “pride".

The court was told Reynolds started boxing at the age of nine and his whole life until he was 21 was devoted to it. He was then due to go to the British Championships but was not able to make it because of illness.

He had taken over most of the running of the Rawthorpe Amateur Boxing Club from his father, that was a voluntary position and he also worked as a personal trainer.

He had also been working towards a level three National Boxing Coaching qualification but that was likely to be affected by his conviction.

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