By Hannah Worthington, Online Editor
A Bristol third year electrical engineering student has been sentenced by Bristol Crown Court to a 12 month community order with rehabilitation and a £200 fine for committing Grievous Bodily Harm to another student in The Love Inn last February.
Brown, the 21 year old engineer pleaded guilty to GBH after an argument broke between himself and Medical student Thomas Roberts.
Brown was said to be 'annoying' one of Roberts' friends, the Court heard.
The pair became argumentative and Roberts accordingly 'flicked' Brown's hat.
The students separated, however Brown later reignited their feud in Love Inn's smoking area, asking for £20 from Roberts for his lost hat. The clash saw Roberts take a blow to the head and a taxi to Bristol Infirmary. Doctors confirmed his eye socket was fractured.
In the hearing, Philip Shepherd QC gave Brown the community order and requested the fine as 'compensation' for Roberts. He stated:
"You are a man of good character who has not offended before."
"You are a man of great talent and promise and your application to your studies, a degree in electrical engineering, shows that you are capable of academic excellence of a high order."
"This was a single punch and I accept that this was wholly out of character."
Thomas Roberts, victim of the assault, said to Epigram after the hearing:
'All I have to say is that I'm glad it's over now and I can get on with my life'.
Courtney Brown also offered his final words to Epigram:
'I just want to say I'm thankful to the DA and judge for allowing me to move forward and finish what I started here in Bristol. I want to say thank you to everyone who supported me throughout this nightmare. I don't believe it's fair to say Love Inn was involved with any of this, considering we had both just arrived at the club. And if it wasn't for the severity of the injury, I would have liked to have said a lot more about his macho rival-like behaviour. Nevertheless, I'm pleased with the rehab recommendation. A forward-thinking pragmatic approach of helping misunderstood youth with managing their emotions.'
Featured Image: Instagram / @guido.frabotta
