Man jailed after ‘glassing’ mourner at wake

Sheffield Crown Court was told drunken labourer Gavin Marsden used an “overarm cricket throw” to smash the glass into peacemaker Andrew Charlotte’s face.

The incident, which was captured on CCTV, happened about 11pm after Marsden, 29, had been drinking lager and vodka since the early afternoon.

Recorder Tim Gittins, sitting at Sheffield Crown Court, said the attack was so serious that he regarded Marsden as a danger to the public and gave him a six-year extended jail term.

Marsden, of Birk Green, Kendray, Barnsley admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent on November 21 last year.

The wake was at Kendray Central Workingmen’s Club following the funeral of David Grimshaw at Barnsley Crematorium.

Prosecutor Beverley Tait said Marsden had got so drunk he kept getting into arguments with other mourners and Mr Charlotte had twice asked him to pay more respect.

Marsden responded by shoving the glass squarely into Mr Charlotte’s face with full force like an “overarm cricket throw” and a struggle ensued before the police were called.

Marsden said he took £100 to the wake and spent it all on booze. He said it was “unusual” for him not to remember what happened but it had escalated into a “drinking binge” and he became highly intoxicated.

The court heard that Marsden had a long record for violence, with a wounding with intent conviction and possessing Class A drugs dating back to 2001.

His barrister Judith Seaborne said he did not seek to blame anybody else and accepted full responsibility but claimed the complainant had provided some degree of provocation.

She said that apart from three offences, his convictions were for low-level violence.