An Army reservist wrote a five-page letter of apology to Bath Magistrates’ Court for his behaviour after a pub worker in the city suffered a fractured jaw and broken ankle.
The Grapes on Westgate Street
At the court on Wednesday, 28th May, 31-year-old Jonathan Wheelhouse admitted causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) without intent to Rubin Leiper-Gill at The Grapes in Westgate Street on 12th June last year.
CCTV footage of the incident outside the pub was played to the court.
Although the offence was drink-related, the court heard that Wheelhouse, of Halton in Leeds, does not have an issue with alcohol.
Magistrates were told that Wheelhouse has been left “absolutely mortified” at what he did. Of previous good character and the father of a young child, he had “glowing references”.
He has a “senior job” and “to his credit” had told his employer following the incident that he was likely to be charged.
It is understood he works for a Bath-based firm.
Wheelhouse is a reservist with the Royal Yorkshire Regiment and also informed his commanding officer of what had happened following the incident.
Magistrates told Wheelhouse that the offence was so serious that only a custodial sentence could be justified as someone had ended up with a broken ankle while “just doing their job”.
They imposed a 26-week sentence, suspended for two years.
Wheelhouse must complete 150 hours of unpaid work in the community, and was ordered to pay £1,500 compensation to his victim.
No order was made for costs or victim surcharge.
