Violence after bad news from home

4:40pm Friday 5th September 2008

A Polish man living in Skipton punched a friend after receiving bad news from home, a court heard today.

Michal Murzec, 27, assaulted Jason Harker and Darral Bishop at the 25 Below bar in Newmarket Street, Skipton on August 10, Skipton magistrates were told.

The court heard that Murzec had drunk three bottles of wine after getting bad news about his mother in Poland before going out after work at about 10pm.

He had got into an argument with someone in the bar and had punched Mr Bishop in the face after he had tried to intervene, the court heard.

His friend, Mr Harker had also tried to intervene and had also been punched by Murzec.

Mr Bishop was left with red marks on his face and body and a torn shirt and Mr Harker had a sore ear.

In mitigation, Glen Chivers said Murzec had worked at a Skipton restaurant for the three years he had lived in the UK and was well thought of.

He had unfortunately drunk more than he was used to after getting the news from home and could remember little about what had happened.

Mr Chivers said that, since the incident, Murzec, of Highfield Terrace, Skipton, had made it up with Mr Harker.

Murzec, who pleaded guilty to assaulting both men, was fined £240 and ordered to pay £100 compensation to Mr Bishop and Mr Harker. He was also ordered to pay £43 costs and £15 victims surcharge.