Man battered another man who was carrying a handgun in Sandown

AN ISLE of Wight man who battered another man who was carrying a handgun on the streets of Sandown has been spared jail.

Gary Smith, of Coach Lane, Brading, appeared before a judge at the Isle of Wight Crown Court on Monday, June 24.

At a previous hearing, the 59-year-old admitted a single count of wounding, in Sandown, on April 23 of last year.

Prosecutor, Tim Devlin, told the court the incident was captured on CCTV.

He said Smith’s victim, who had recently arrived in the UK, had been walking along a road in Sandown, drunk, and wandering from side to side.

He said Smith ran up behind him and punched him in the back of the head, completely unprovoked.

The court heard the victim produced a handgun and held it up by the barrel to use as a cosh, threatening Smith, who went on to block his path.

Mr Devlin said Smith kicked out at the victim, closed in and punched him three times in the face, causing him to fall against a car and onto the pavement.

He kicked the victim in the head while he was prone on his back, punched him in the face a further five times, and was pulled away by a female companion.

The court heard no attempt was made to disarm the victim, and Smith returned to the scene when police arrived.

The victim suffered injuries to his nose and face and was taken to St Mary’s Hospital for treatment.

Smith was also alleged to have told the victim to: “go back to his own country”.

He was handed a 12-month prison term, suspended for 24 months, to include 15 rehabilitation days.

He was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay a £187 surcharge.