Boxing Day bust-up ‘mistaken identity’

Anthony Chadwick told police the assault was a case of mistaken identity after he lost his glasses, Kirklees Magistrates’ Court heard.

Prosecuting, Andy Wills said the 36-year-old was smoking a cigarette near the Principal pub in Dewsbury town centre as a fight took place outside.

He said Chadwick was smoking and minding his own business on Boxing Day last year when one of the men fighting came up to him and punched him in the face, knocking him to the ground.

When he got up he saw who he thought was his attacker and punched him three times in the face and head.

His victim fell to the ground and Chadwick went back inside the pub.

The man he attacked was trying to break up the fight at the time, the court heard.

The man who punched Chadwick has not been found.

Chadwick, of Hazel Close, Dewsbury, pleaded guilty to assault by beating at a hearing yesterday.

The court heard he told police he was ‘gutted’ for the man he mistakenly punched, who was left with bruising on his head.

Mr Wills said Chadwick had five previous assault convictions dating between 1994 and 2010.

Mitigating, Paul Blanchard said Chadwick later realised he should not have got involved in the fight.

He said: “Mr Chadwick wears glasses, the glasses were lost.

“He looked around and accused an individual ingrained in the melee.

“He assaulted the person he believed had assaulted him.”

Sentencing, magistrate Malcolm Turner fined Chadwick £110.

He also ordered him to pay £50 compensation to his victim, a £20 victim surcharge and £85 in costs.