A man who got angry after being told to take his dog out of a charity shop in the city centre punched a man, Bath magistrates have heard.
Bath Magistrates’ Court
Alex Lawrinson was in court on Wednesday 18th February to admit an assault by beating on Matthew Mahony at the Cancer Research shop on Westgate Street.
Prosecutor Maree Doyle told the court that on 10th September last year, a member of staff told Lawrinson that he had to leave the shop as dogs were not allowed and he got upset and “quite aggressive”.
Mr Mahony, who was working nearby and came into the shop after hearing screaming, was punched in the face by Lawrinson when he stepped in to try to help. He suffered cuts and blurred vision.
Ms Doyle called it a “deeply unpleasant and unprovoked attack” on someone who had come to the aid of a shop worker.
Duty solicitor Ruth Tily, representing Lawrinson, said the 37-year-old had taken his dog into the shop before, so could not understand why he was being told to get out. She said he had “snapped” after being grabbed.
The court heard he has mental health issues. In a letter of apology, Lawrinson, of Corby in Northamptonshire, told of his sorrow for the grief he had caused the victim.
Magistrates acknowledged that Lawrinson’s letter was “heartfelt”. They gave him a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £200 compensation to Mr Mahony.
They made no order for prosecution costs or a surcharge.
