Violent boozer from Doncaster left drinking buddy with multiple facial fractures

Jamie Speak from Doncaster was drinking cider with the man for about an hour “with no problem”, before they fell out and “some form of altercation” took place, on May 4, Nottingham Crown Court heard.

Alan Murphy, prosecuting, said 48-year-old Speak straddled the man and repeatedly struck him in the face while he was unconscious.

A witness told him to “pack it in” and tried to give first aid to his victim, while Speak was overheard saying “he deserved it” as he walked off.

When he was arrested on Gateford Road later that day, he claimed his victim had been acting aggressively and he tried to calm him.

His victim woke in Doncaster Royal Infirmary, where he needed an operation involving staples and screws.

In a statement, he said his vision was affected and he had been left with scars and nerve damage.

Speak and another man stole also £19 of alcohol from Asda, Worksop, on March 16, at about 1pm. The court heard that when staff challenged them, there was a physical altercation.

An hour later, Speak was caught on CCTV trying the door of a house on Maple Leaf Gardens, “obviously looking for something to steal”.

Minutes later, Speak tried to open the back door of a Homeserve van while his accomplice distracted the driver. The pair were arrested 20 minutes later on High Hoe Road.

Nottingham Crown Court heard Speak has 34 previous convictions for 77 offences, dating back to 1991.

Speak, of Tranquil Walk, New Rossington, admitted theft, interfering with a vehicle, attempted burglary and assault causing grievous bodily harm.

Hal Ewing, mitigating, said Speak’s record reflected his misuse of drink and drugs. He has served the equivalent of a 13-month sentence.

Speak beat an amphetamine addiction and stayed out of trouble between 2010-2019, but was sectioned under the Mental Health Act in 2020.

Mr Ewing said: “He is adamant he doesn’t wish to drink alcohol. The challenge will be when he emerges from custody and that temptation is all too obvious.”

Mr Recorder William Harbage KC imposed a 12-month jail term on Speak, suspended for 18 months, with 40 rehabilitation days and a 120-day alcohol monitoring requirement.

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