A pub attacker who left his victim with a one inch scar on his head has been spared jail. Liam O’Keefe, 22, hit the victim John Lindsay in the face with a bottle, leaving him bleeding profusely in the sudden outburst at the Station Hotel, Helmshore, in January.
Mr Lindsay was said to have “mildly” told the defendant he needed to sort out his attitude and grow up after he started talking about the English Defence League and made comments about immigration, Burnley Crown Court heard.
O’Keefe was immediately thrown out of the premises by the landlord, who was shocked by what he had seen as there had been no build up. The hearing was told the victim suffered a 3cm laceration to his forehead.
The defendant was arrested and questioned and told police he had had too much to drink. He said he had rowed with Mr Lindsay, but didn’t know what it was about. He he did not think he would have made racist comments.
O’ Keefe, of Hall Street, Haslingden, admitted wounding. He was given 12 months in jail, suspended for 18 months, with a curfew on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, between 7.30pm and 6am. He must pay £750 compensation.