Carnforth musician bottled friend in the head, court told

An amateur musician, who attacked a man with a glass bottle, asked a judge to send him to prison.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Singer and songwriter Ben Lester Simpson, 24, of Hill Street, Carnforth, , near Lancaster smacked his victim, Paul Coolican, in the side of the head with a glass beer bottle after becoming 'noisy' during a house party.

Preston Crown Court heard the fracas happened on June 13 this year in Rupert Street, Carnforth, and at the time he was subject to a community order for threatening behaviour.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Charlie Brown, prosecuting, said: "The complainant was at his home, he was socialising with friends at the back of his property and the defendant walked past. They invited him to join them. He'd clearly already taken drink and carried on drinking with them.

Preston Crown CourtPreston Crown Court
Preston Crown Court

"His attention was drawn to some neighbours - he was shouting at them.

"He was told to be quiet. Mr Coolican told Mr Simpson he had to leave.

""At this the defendant got up, with a full bottle of beer in his hand and swung it at Mr Coolican."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The court heard it hit him on the right side of his head, causing a nasty cut and knocking him to the ground

Others restrained Simpson on the ground.

Paramedics were called and Mr Coolican was treated at the scene.

Simpson surrendered himself to Lancaster police station the next day.

He made no comment in a police interview, apart from to say: " I can't remember anything, I'm too drunk, I'm an alcoholic."

He admitted causing actual bodily harm.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Defending, Kimberley Obrusik said Simpson wanted to go to prison, but Judge Simon Medland QC said if he sent him to prison he would be released next Wednesday - due to his time on a curfew - with "nothing done".

Instead he imposed a six month jail term, suspended for 18 months, and a 30 day rehabilitation activity requirement to undertake assistance to keep him off alcohol.

He added: "If you continue drinking you'll certainly do considerable damage to your health but you're an adult and have to find your own way in the world and your place in it."