Trio appear in Bath court accused of assaulting man in city centre

Two men who took part in an attack on a man in the centre of Bath have admitted assault by beating.

Sean Murray, 39, of Walcot Street, and David Lea, 59, of no fixed address, appeared at the city’s magistrates’ court on Monday 24th August,

A third defendant, 37-year-old Anthony Hamilton, of no fixed address, had also been due to appear in court but failed to turn up, so a warrant for his arrest was issued.

The victim, who had reportedly consumed six pints of alcohol, had been in Stall Street with two friends said to be badly intoxicated.

Magistrates saw CCTV footage of events which took place in the early hours of 4th August. The victim could be seen lying on the ground after being assaulted.

He refused medical attention for his injuries, which included a black eye and cuts and bruises all over his body.

Magistrates heard that Murray has an issue with alcohol. They asked the Probation Service to prepare a pre-sentence report and remanded him on unconditional bail until 8th October.

The court acknowledged that Lea had a lesser role in the joint enterprise but said it was serious.

He also admitted resisting a police constable in the execution of his duty on the same day.

The magistrates heard from the Probation Service that Lea is alcohol dependant and has reached out for help from the organisation Turning Point.

Magistrates fined Lea, who is on benefits, £200 and ordered him to pay the victim £100. He must also pay a court surcharge of £80 and prosecution costs of £85.

The warrant issued for Anthony Hamilton, who is also accused of assaulting a police constable in the execution of his duty in Bath on 4th August, is not backed by bail.