A Sunday league footballer broke a goalkeeper's jaw after a scuffle during a game with 'no justification'. Bradley Bennett left his opponent with a 'mouth filled with blood' and unable to bite, a court has heard.
The 23-year-old was playing for Staffordshire team Holditch Miners FC against Congleton when he ran to the opposition goalkeeper and landed a single punch to his head. The keeper was left with three fractures, including ones to his jaw and cheekbone, Stoke-on-Trent Live reports.
He was left unable to sleep for several weeks and feeling 'self-conscious' about the scar, Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard. Prosecutor Alexa Carrier said Bennett was playing as a defender for Holditch, before a fight broke out involving the team's striker and Congleton's goalkeeper.
She said: "The referee described it as a scuffle on the floor. Other players got involved and the referee showed red cards to those players.
"The keeper was on the floor for a few seconds and was then struck by the defendant for no justifiable reason. The defendant made his way into the Congleton area and punched the goalkeeper in the face. It was a single punch to the side of his head.
"He fell to the ground but he got up. He could not bite properly, he had loose teeth and his mouth was filled with blood.
"The police were called and an ambulance arrived and took him to A&E at the Royal Stoke University Hospital. He suffered three fractures including to his jaw and cheekbone. He underwent surgery and had stitches and wires removed."
In a statement made seven weeks after the assault, which took place on December 12, 2021, the victim said he was still suffering from numbness in his chin. He was unable to sleep on his right side and he added he felt self-conscious about the scar.
Bennett, of Lower Ash Road, Kidsgrove, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm. Lesley Barnett, mitigating, said Bennett was grateful that his victim was able to return to playing football in January last year.
She said: "The defendant has continued to play football but absented himself from games which involved that team. In incidents in the last 12 months where there has been similar situations, he has left the pitch. He has taken steps to ensure he does not place himself in this position again and put anyone else at risk."
The court heard Bennett has a previous conviction for violence and served three-and-a-half years of a seven year sentence. But he was released in 2018 and met his partner and they have a child. He works as a self-employed roofer.
Miss Barnett said there is a realistic prospect of Bennett being rehabilitated. He is willing to pay compensation to his victim which he would not be able to do if sent to jail. She added: "He expresses a great deal of remorse for the position he put the complainant in. He never wants anything like that to happen again."
Bennett was sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to pay his victim £1,000 compensation plus £425 costs. As part of the suspended sentence, Bennett must complete a rehabilitation activity requirement for 45 days and 160 hours unpaid work.
Judge Graeme Smith said: "This offence in December 2021 is particularly disappointing. There are elements in your character that you need to address.
"It was a single blow which had significant consequences. You should be glad that it did not have more serious consequences because even single blows can be catastrophic.
"There was no justification for what you did. Football is a game and sometimes tempers and emotions can run high. While others were involved in a bit of a scuffle your involvement seemed to be more serious and less justified."
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