Yahoo News Holidaymaker glassed onlooker in Blackpool caravan park 'show bar brawl'
A holidaymaker glassed a reveller in the show bar at a Blackpool holiday park when his parents became involved in an altercation at the bar.
McCauley Walton, 27, was staying at Marton Mere caravan park with his parents when the row erupted on March 5 last year. Preston Crown Court heard how Walton returned from the bathroom to discover an altercation between two groups of people at the bar.
He "saw red" when he realised his parents had become involved and was concerned for their welfare, his barrister Vanessa Thompson told the court.
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An onlooker, who was seen on CCTV waving his arms around, became involved in the tension. Walton, who was drinking from a pint glass, emptied the glass and smashed it on the man's head. The man suffered a cut to his head which required surgical glue and several grazes to his head and neck.
Sentencing, Judge Guy Mathieson said: "You could have taken his eye out. You could have cut his throat.
"You came into an incident that seems already to have happened or be happening. The initial incident was nothing to do with the person who ended up being your victim, but he reacted to it.
"You saw him put his hands in the air. He must have been saying or chating something. He had nothing to do with the initial incident.
"He was part of the crowd, who all reacted in various ways. You didn't stop to understand what had gone on or reflect on how better you might help the situation. You took the view that whatever had happened, his reaction was utterly unjustified and you took it upon yourself to point that out.
"You were aggressive and confrontational. You effectively rose the anger level in that room from what it was to a far higher level. Whatever had gone on was washed away because everyone knows that a big lad like you was trying to take someone else on.
"Various people stepped in from both sides but you weren't happy with that. You thought this lad was going to get away with it. You had the glass in your hand and from a very short distance you threw it at his head."
Ms Thompson handed a number of letters and character references to the court which spoke of Walton in glowing terms. He was described as "kind, caring and a perfect gentleman."
"He is a good person who made a mistake", she said. At the time of the attack he was struggling with mental health difficulties and had gone away with his family in the hops a break would improve things, Ms Thompson said.
Judge Mathieson said: "It is hard to see you here because I accept that this is a snapshot and that is not the real you. That is evident from everything I have read about you and that is not what you want your legacy to be or what you want people to think about you. That is what I have to balance."
Walton, of Chelford Drive, Manchester, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent. He expressed remorse and a willingness to change when interviewed for a presentence report.
However Judge Mathieson said the offence was so serious only an immediate term of custody could be justified. He jailed him for three years.
