Sussex Police confirm a Bognor Regis man who used a bottle in an 'unprovoked assault' will spend a year and a half behind bars.
Sammy Stockford, 34, a labourer, of Canada Grove, Bognor Regis, denied wounding/inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent but was found guilty after a trial in May.
On Wednesday (August 25), he was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment for the unprovoked assault.
Stockford had been visiting a friend in Hastings on September 28, 2020 when the pair decided to go out drinking in the town centre.
The victim was also in town with a woman who knew Stockford's friend, and the group ended up talking with each other.
Later in the evening, the victim overheard a conversation involving Stockford and challenged him as he found the content offensive.
After a brief verbal altercation, the victim left the bar and headed down Middle Street. However, Stockford followed him and without warning, hit him in the face with a bottle. The victim suffered a deep cut above his eyebrow, requiring hospital treatment.
Police were called and arrested Stockford after he was identified by the victim's friend. He was found with blood on his t-shirt, which he had turned inside out in a suspected attempt to hide the stains.
Officers attended Middle Street and recovered a broken glass bottle, which matched the brand of alcohol Stockford had been drinking that evening.
In interview, Stockford said he had punched the victim in self-defence and denied a bottle had been used.
He was convicted on May 21 by a majority jury of 10 to two. As well as an 18-month sentence, he was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £156.
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