Man jailed for attacking doorman with car jack (From The Northern Echo)

Spennymoor man jailed for attacking Bishop Auckland doorman with car jack

5:23pm Monday 4th February 2013 in News By Bruce Unwin, Chief Reporter (Durham)

A MOTORIST reacted angrily on seeing a relation in a confrontation with a night spot doorman.

Christopher Bell was driving home after being out for a meal with his partner when he came across the incident involving his cousin at the entrance to Monaco, in the Market Place, Bishop Auckland, in the early hours of Sunday May 20.

Durham Crown Court heard that he took out a metal car jack and struck the doorman several times, causing cuts to his scalp and other injuries.

Lynsey Colling, prosecuting, said the worst wound, a 3cm cut, was closed by use of medical staples, but the doorman also suffered swellings and tenderness.

The court was told he has since considered giving up his job, as he does not want someone else doing something similar.

Following his arrest 27-year-old Bell, of Flora Street, Spennymoor, made admissions and expressed remorse.

He admitted a charge of wounding with intent at a hearing last month.

Addressing today’s (Monday February 4) sentencing hearing, Olivia Checa-Dover, mitigating, presented character references to the court.

“They speak in respect of him as a friend, a family man and a father.

“He has spoken of his genuine remorse and just can’t believe what he did that night.

“He’s mortified, but tells me the lesson has been learned as this is his first period in custody.”

“It’s not a case of someone going out in drink looking for trouble.

“He was driving, having been out for a meal with his partner, saw an incident, panicked and acted entirely inappropriately,” added Ms Checa-Dover.

Jailing him for 35 months, Judge Esmond Faulks told Bell: “Fortunately for you his injuries were not as bad as they could have, but it could have been serious.”

Twelve weeks of the sentence were for breaching of an 18-month suspended sentence order, imposed for assault in July 2011.