Man attacked Good Samaritan in Horwich town centre fight

A JUDGE said a who man attacked a “good Samaritan” during a fight in Horwich town centre should be ashamed of himself.

Bolton Crown Court heard Robert Williams was out in a group in the festive period of 2018 when a fight broke out.

A man he was out with attacked two people including headbutting one, leaving them unconscious.

Alan Heaton, not part of either group, was walking home from the Saddle Pub and came to the scene when he heard a woman shouting “stop it.”

He confronted the group but when he turned his back Williams punched him from behind causing him to fall to the ground.

Prosecutor William Donnelly said: "He suffered a three centimetre cut to his head. He needed five stitches.”

The court heard he had been left afraid to go out in the town due to the ongoing court case.

Williams, 38, of Penn Street, Horwich, admitted to assault causing actual bodily harm.

Nick Ross, defending, said his client had not been out drinking since the incident, nearly three years ago and was the main carer for his five-year-old son.

He added: “It was a single blow.

“He did not follow up with further punches or kicks.

“He remained on the scene.

“He says he feels terrible for what he did, if he had the opportunity to apologise face to face hew would very much wish to do that.”

Passing sentence, Judge Tom Gilbart said he had attacked a “good Samaritan.”

He said of the man Williams attacked: “’He had his attention drawn to a woman shouting ‘stop it’”

“He went to challenge your group, a man acting with good intentions to the public. He was acting as a good Samaritan.

“You punched him, knocking him to the floor. You should be utterly ashamed for what you did.”

But he said due to the impact imprisonment would have on his son he would suspend the sentence.

He suspended a jail sentence of 37 weeks for 18 months, ordered Williams to complete 12 rehabilitation activity requirement days and remain at his home between 8.30pm and 5am for a period of three months.

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