A BUSINESS owner launched an unprovoked attack on a man in a nightclub in what a judge described as ‘a moment of complete madness fuelled by alcohol’.

Lee Lancaster, 36, left his victim with a ‘grave injury’ after he broke his left ankle by pushing him to the floor and stamping on his head, prosecutor Richard Howarth said.

CCTV footage played to Preston Crown Court showed the defendant was on a night out with friends at The Theatre Bar on Cavendish Street in Barrow on September 4 2022 when the assault took place.

Mr Howarth said: “The complainant was out drinking as he was perfectly entitled to do when the defendant followed him to the toilet at around 1am.

“He was forced to be restrained by members of the public after the assault.

“The victim suffered a serious injury to his left ankle and could not put any weight on it afterwards. There was an open fracture and perforation of the bone through the skin.

“He was then taken to hospital and required surgery where he was treated with rods and pins.”

CCTV footage showed the man could hardly stand or support himself. He was later helped out of the establishment by two security guards.

Lancaster, of Oakwood Drive in Ulverston, was sentenced after pleading guilty to a Section 18 offence of wounding/inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent.

In police interview Lancaster said he had seen the man ‘harassing’ a woman earlier in the evening.

However Mr Howarth argued: “There was nothing to suggest that was the case at all.”

The complainant detailed how he had to spend one week in hospital as a result of the attack and that he could not go back to work for a month.

Mr Howarth said the victim was forced to take taxis everywhere.

The victim, who was not present in court, said in his victim personal statement: “This was an unprovoked attack from a person I have never met in my life before.

“He looked aggressive. If that member of the public had not been there, I often wonder what his intentions would have been.”

In mitigation, Andrew Marrs said his client was a successful businessman who was ‘terrified’ of being sent to prison.

He said: “This was an extremely unpleasant offence. It was very short lived, and if there was premeditation, it was for a matter of seconds.

“The defendant’s business has prospered. He has recently opened a shop and now employs four people.

“He says his behaviour will not be repeated and is desperate to be given a second chance.

“If you were to send him to prison, it would destroy his life, the relationship with his daughter and his business.”

The court heard Lancaster was subject to a community order at the time of the offence. 

Her Honour Judge Sarah O’Brien said she believed Lancaster did ‘not represent a significant danger to the public’ and as a result imposed a 15-month prison sentence suspended for 24 months.

She said: “This was a moment of complete madness fuelled by alcohol. Fortunately, he has made a good recovery, which is fortunate for him and for you.

“You are lightly convicted and have no previous convictions for violence. I take the view that this was out of character for you and that you are a hard-working member of society who provides opportunities for other people.”

Judge O’Brien ordered Lancaster to undertake 120 days of an alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement program and 10 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days as part of the order.

He was also ordered to pay £1,000 in compensation to his victim.