A man has been jailed after he punched another outside a Huddersfield takeaway and then drove off in his car.

Leeds Crown Court heard today Michael Humphries had been drinking before he went into Kirkheaton Spice on Moorside Road, Kirkheaton, around 10pm on April 30 for something to eat.

He then started talking to some people parked in two cars outside including Luke Potrykus but Humphries attitude suddenly changed towards them after somebody asked the complainant where he came from.

Humphries ordered him to get out of the vehicle and when he did he punched him once to the left side of his face.

Another person who knew Humphries tried to reason with him but he then got into the Corsa car told Mr Potrykus’s girlfriend to get out and drove off in it.

Stephanie Hancock told the court Humphries did not drive far before pulling up and parking in Pennine View where he got out and locked the car up.

Two people had followed him in another car and again tried to reason with him but he told them not to call the police saying he intended to come back for the car the next day and threatened them into giving him a lift.

Fortunately the car was fitted with a tracker and that led police to where the car was parked. The victim suffered some swelling and bruising to his face.

When he was arrested Humphries claimed he was working away in London at the time and was not responsible. The court was told at the time he was on licence from a 30 month prison sentence for offences of violence.

Leeds Crown Court
Leeds Crown Court

Adam Birkby, representing Humphries, said he had a “significant and long-standing problem with alcohol” his previous offending stemming from when he drank to excess.

He was released from the previous sentence in January and was determined to do better, he got a decent job with an electrical firm who were sub-contracted fitting inside shopping centres in London and stopped drinking. He also began to attend an anger management course and things seemed to be going well.

But, he said on April 30 he went out drinking for the first time since his release thinking he could handle it “but he could not.”

He said Humphries was taking anti-depressants which did not mix with the alcohol and he reacted to something said and punched the complainant.

“It was a stupid and drunken act,” said Mr Birkby, adding that he took the car on the spur of the moment and when he sobered up ensured the key was returned.

Humphries, 27 of New Road, Kirkheaton, Huddersfield admitted theft and assault and was jailed for 34 weeks. He was also ordered to pay the new criminal courts charge of £900.

The Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC said in drink he had lost control, become aggressive and assaulted the victim in “unpleasant circumstances” and then decided to steal his car.

“Fortunately no damage was caused to it and it was recovered the next day.”