A man has been sentenced after a horrific 'one punch' incident in Skipton last year.
Ciaran Spencer, 31, of West Yorkshire was sentenced yesterday (Monday) after a ‘one punch’ incident left the victim with a fractured skull and two bleeds on the brain.
On Friday 13th December 2024 at 11.30pm, the victim was outside a pub on Skipton high street after enjoying drinks with friends. Spencer was in the same pub, having a work Christmas night out.
A police spokesperson explained the incident:
"As one of Spencer’s colleagues left the pub, they had an altercation with the victim and others. They then returned into the pub to tell the group, in particular Spencer, about the incident.
"They tapped Spencer on the shoulder, signalled him to come outside, and the group made their way out to the front of the pub.
"Spencer left the pub, slammed the door on the way out, walked straight up to the victim and without warning or a discussion, punched him in the face.
"Following the incident, Spencer stood near the victim for some time, before slowly returning to the pub and leaving via the back door as we arrived at the scene."
The blow knocked the victim to the ground, and he remained there without moving until the emergency services arrived on the scene.
He was taken to hospital by our officers, where he remained for numerous days to have treatment for a fractured skull and two bleeds on the brain.
Spencer pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm (GBH) and was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court.
He has been given a custodial sentence of 18 months, suspended for 24 months.
He will be under a curfew for three months with electronic monitoring.
He has to engage in rehabilitation and 100 hours of unpaid work within 12 months.
As well as this, he has been ordered to pay £1,500 in compensation to the victim, £150 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service and a surcharge of £187.
Speaking about the incident, Detective Constable Nicky Wareham said:
“In a moment of aggression, Spencer forgot just how dangerous one punch incidents can be.
“In a split second it changed not only his life, but also the life of the victim, who suffered serious injuries.
“If you are faced with a potentially violent confrontation, we wholeheartedly echo the One Punch UK advice to stop, think and walk away.
“By not acting in anger and lashing out, it could well be the best decision you have ever made - for everyone concerned.”
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