Party-goer punched restaurant owner

A NEWHAVEN man headbutted a restaurant window and punched its owner when he refused to serve him food.

A NEWHAVEN man headbutted a restaurant window and punched its owner when he refused to serve him food.

Stuart Gandy, 19, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm and criminal damage when he appeared at Lewes Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

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The court heard how Gandy turned up at the Snow restaurant in Bridge Street, Newhaven, in the early hours of September 1 with a group of friends on their way home from a party.

Richard Stevenson, prosecuting, said Gandy, who had been drinking strong export lager, began banging his head against the closed restaurant's window and demanding food.

Co-owner Peter Bailey unlocked the door to tell him there was none and was greeted with abuse. He re-locked the door and the group moved on.

However, 10 minutes later Gandy, unemployed, of Lewes Road, returned.

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Mr Stevenson said: 'The defendant was headbutting the window violently.'

Mr Bailey opened the door and told him to go away as Gandy swung a punch. Mr Bailey's business partner, who had been inside the restaurant, came to his aid and Gandy was forced to the ground, suffering a broken nose as he hit the pavement.

'The defendant was lashing out and appeared to have lost control,' said Mr Stevenson.

Gandy got back to his feet and punched Mr Bailey, fracturing his cheek and eye socket. He then produced a screw driver, and while holding it in his fist, threw another punch before fleeing.

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It was revealed Gandy returned to the restaurant 90 minutes later with a hammer. He struck its front window twice causing 1,000 of damage before driving away.

Raymond Blount, defending, said Gandy was violent because he was angry at his injuries. He said: 'His nose was broken and his eyes were blackened. His jeans were soaked in blood.'

Magistrates chairman Michael Boyce said the crime was so serious Gandy would be sent to crown court for sentencing. It emerged he was already on a 12-month conditional discharge for a previous assault.

Gandy was released on bail on condition he did not visit Bridge Street.