Man Jailed for Assault in Lowestoft

Thursday, 4 July 2024 06:05

A 35-year-old man has been jailed for more than a year after being convicted of assaulting another man in Lowestoft

Craig Johnson, of no fixed address, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Wednesday 26 June, where he was sentenced to 13 months’ imprisonment. He had previously pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm without intent.

The incident occurred earlier this year, during the early hours of the morning on Wednesday 15 May.

The court heard that the victim, a 56-year-old man, had been walking through the town centre with a friend, when they were approached by Johnson who was asking for drugs.

The victim and his friend said they didn’t have any and Johnson then walked off. He then returned a short time later and found the victim and his friend sitting in a doorway in London Road North. At this point Johnson swore at the victim and then smashed a glass over his head, causing the victim to sustain three lacerations to the side of his head.

Police and the ambulance service were called and officers arrived at the scene within a few minutes, where Johnson was arrested. When he was being booked into custody, he the said to a detention officer “I’ll glass you as well.”

Johnson was charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, which he pleaded not guilty to, but he admitted causing grievous bodily harm without intent and the court accepted this plea.

Detective Constable Ian McBrearty, of East CID in Lowestoft, said: “This was a completely unprovoked attack on a vulnerable man who was homeless at the time of the incident.

“The victim sustained three nasty cuts to his head and it is both fortunate and by pure chance he wasn’t more seriously injured. He has now been left fearing for his safety when in the town centre.

“Craig Johnson admitted to being intoxicated at the time of the incident and was receiving treatment for alcoholism. Although he denied intending to cause serious harm to the victim, it is extremely dangerous to hit someone with a glass and Johnson is now facing the consequences of his actions."