A dad left a man in his 60s unconscious after pushing him over in a Wetherspoon pub.
Jordan Evans, 25, was drinking in the Wild Boar pub in Houghton-le-Spring with his pregnant partner on May 21, last year, when the victim approached the table they were sitting at. The victim, a man in his 60s, had approached the table as he saw the brother of his daughter's ex-partner and wanted to ask a question regarding his grandchild.
But Newcastle Crown Court heard that the situation then turned violent, with a woman at the table "shouting" at the victim before Evans pushed the man away. He then followed him and then pushed him a second time.
Read more: Jack Woodley murder trial: Eyewitness says he saw 'flying kick' to head during 'sustained' attack
The last push sent the victim to the floor, knocking him unconscious. The court was told the victim came round in the pub later, and went home to bed.
But when he woke up the next morning, he felt pain in his foot and was dizzy. He then went to the A&E department at Sunderland Hospital where he was told he had a torn ligament in his right foot and concussion.
Evans, of Westcroft Road, Middlesbrough, was later identified via social media but he wasn't arrested until six-months later. The court heard Evans had three previous convictions for four offences, all of which were for assaults.
Kate Barnes, defending, said the incident was a "spontaneous and short-lived assault" which was "underpinned by mental disorder" and that Evans has autism, ADHD and suffers from depression. "Due to his autism he struggles to manage his emotions and it has impacted upon his behaviour" she said, adding he was unable to "deal with conflict appropriately".
She said Evans, who works as a full-time landscaper, "misinterpreted" the victim's approach and said his impairment was a "significant contributing factor". Ms Barnes added Evans has a "strong commitment" to his young child and has a "strong work ethic".
Sentencing Evans for assault occasioning actual bodily harm, Recorder Ian Mullarkey, said: "You pushed him hard with both hands. It's apparent from CCTV that you followed him across the bar area and pushed him again. You are plainly the much bigger man and physically dominating."
He added: "It was not born out of mental health but rather your perception that he was a nuisance that night and had become a bother to you and the people you were with."
Evans was given a six month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months and was ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work. He must also complete up to 30 rehabilitation days and pay £750 compensation to the victim.
