TWO men have received prison sentences for attacking another male in a Kendal snooker club.

Christopher Harrison, 31, must serve a nine-month term immediately after he pleaded guilty to causing Ian Hughes actual bodily harm. Adam John Wilson, 22, also admitted the offence and was given eight months in custody. However, his sentence was suspended for two years.

Both men appeared at Carlisle Crown Court yesterday (THURS) before Mr. Recorder Grice following an incident at the Albion snooker club in Kendal on September 4 last year.

Gerard Rogerson, prosecuting, said Mr Hughes had initially been engaged in "light conversation" with Harrison and Wilson in the snooker club at around 5.30pm.

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As the incident started to escalate, Mr Hughes fell behind the bar and then struck out as if to urge the other two men to keep their distance.

"Both men approached Mr Hughes, and Mr Harrison delivers a fairly substantial punch which causes his glasses to fall from his head," said Mr. Rogerson. "He falls to the ground and M. Harrison puts his foot in to Mr Hughes, who is prone. Mr Wilson leans over and reins a number of punches in to Mr Hughes as he lies on the ground."

CCTV footage was shown to the court which captured the attack. Harrison could then be seen grabbing Mr Hughes by the hair and pulling him up.

"Mr Hughes is registered blind in his left eye and partially sighted in his right. He wears glasses with a powerful lens to correct his right eye. He simply went to the snooker club to have a drink after work," added Mr Rogerson. "The level of injury was mercifully light"

The court heard that Harrison, of Waterside, Kendal, had 17 previous criminal convictions for 24 offences, while Wilson, of Valley Drive, Kendal, was a man of good character.

Chris Evans, for Harrison, said the altercation had initially only been between Mr Hughes and Wilson. "Sadly he (Harrison) has got involved in something which was entirely unnecessary. It was not his quarrel."

A custodial sentence, said Mr Evans, would have a great impact on Harrison, who had taken steps to "avoid alcohol-related criminality" following other offences.

Brendan Burke mitigated for Wilson who, he said, previously had "unhappy experiences" with Mr Hughes, who had once barged into him in the street.

Mr Burke added: "He ought really to have left (the club) when he saw this man. He had four or five pints, which is unusual for a man who works long shifts and goes out once a month, and because of that alcohol intake his resentment was inflamed and his inhibitions reduced."

Wilson must complete 150 hours of unpaid work and undergo 18 months of supervision. He has to abide by a 7pm to 5.30am Friday, Saturday and Sunday curfew for six weeks and must pay Mr Hughes £250 compensation.

Harrison also pleaded guilty to a charge of resisting a police officer following his arrest.