A DRUNK stranger who was told he could not have a fourth rum and coke at a Whitehaven pub turned violent, shattering another customer’s jaw, a court heard.

The man responsible for the unprovoked and drink-fuelled attack, 41-year-old Simon Messenger, had earlier walked into the Tavern Pub on Tangier Street and introduced himself to the victim as “Billy-No-Mates."

The defendant admitted an offence of intentional wounding, causing his victim grievous bodily harm.

At Carlisle Crown Court, prosecutor Brendan Burke said the victim of Messenger's violence was a regular at the pub and on the day of the assault, November 3 last year, he was initially the only customer.

He had been chatting amicably with the barmaid when Messenger arrived, a visitor who was unknown to either of them.

Mr Burke said: “He introduced himself as Billy-No- Mates but they established he was called Simon.” The two men each went outside for a cigarette but after they went back inside the defendant’s behaviour became erratic.

The barmaid thought Messenger's behaviour was “odd.” He seemed argumentative, as if he were looking for a confrontation, the court heard. When he spoke about an issue with a family member, the man he later attacked was sympathetic.

The man offered Messenger a cigarette.

They both had a cigarette and chatted in the outside smoking area when the defendant smacked the man’s face, using both hands. Though disturbed by this, the man concluded Messenger was messing about.

Inside the pub, the barmaid, concerned about Messenger’s behaviour, feared he was drunk and refused to serve him another rum and coke.(Image: Google)

This appeared to anger him. It was after the other man suggested he finish his drink and leave that Messenger snapped.

He told the man: “I’ll tell you what I’ll do.” Mr Burke said: “The next thing he knew was hearing the impact – a noise like a shotgun going off on his face. He could feel the crunch of his bone.

“He looked at the defendant and saw what he describes as an expression of pure rage.” The victim later said Messenger appeared to look disappointed that the glass he used to hit him had not broken.

“It was a half-pint glass,” said Mr Burke, pointing out that the man also lost a tooth. “After four hours waiting for an ambulance, he got a taxi to the hospital.”

He suffers continuing issues, including pins and needles and nerve damage, as well as a psychological impact, which includes flashbacks, sleep disturbance and shattered confidence.

Messenger’s previous offences included an actual bodily harm assault, common assault, and a burglary.

Marion Weir, defending, said: “Mr Messenger states that the issue in this case is, and has been for a number of years, alcohol.” At the time of the attack, Messenger was living in supported living accommodation.

Other tenants were abusing class A drugs and alcohol, the court heard. He coped by taking himself off during the day and visiting pubs. On November 3, he had visited pubs in Workington and then Whitehaven.

“At the Tavern, it’s clear that he wanted to continue drinking,” said the barrister. “It’s a deep-rooted problem and significant problem he has tried to get to grips with but he hasn’t yet grasped the nettle.”

The attack was short-lived, she said.

Miss Weir said the defendant began offending at the age of 29, his change in behaviour triggered by a relationship breakdown. He also struggled with debt and family issues and undiagnosed mental health issues.

Judge Michael Fanning told Messenger: “You struck him for no reason at all in the face and fortunately the glass did not break.” The last thing anybody visiting a pub wanted was to be 'randomly attacked', he said.

“It is not the first time either,” said the judge, referring to an assault committed by Messenger in February. He jailed the defendant for four and a half years.

Ruling that there need not be an extended sentence on the basis that Messenger is dangerous, Judge Fanning added: “You're simply a drunk who gets violent and attacks entirely innocent people like [the victim in this case].”

The defendant must serve two thirds of his sentence before he can be eligible for release on licence.