Man jailed over beer row assault

Stephen Drake, 56, was on his way to a local store when he met Bobby Beedle in Ruskin Drive, Pontefract on the evening of May 8. Beedle asked him to get him a can and Mr Drake said he was going to buy four and would share one with him.

Mehran Nassiri, prosecuting, told Leeds Crown Court Mr Drake went into the store in Queens Park Drive and then walked back with the cans. He annoyed Beedle by taking a drink from one before handing it over and Beedle punched him to the ground and then kicked several times.

After Beedle left, taking the can, Mr Drake alerted the police and at Pontefract General Infirmary X-rays revealed Mr Drake, who suffered from diabetes and used heart medication, had three fractures to his cheekbone and the bones around his eye. He spent seven days in hospital and plates to repair the damage left him with a “droopy eye” and scars.

Michael Smith, for Beedle, said both were in drink and the assault was not premeditated and over very quickly.

Beedle, 22 of Hoyland Road, Kettlethorpe, Wakefield, admitted causing him grievous bodily harm and was jailed for three years.

The court heard Beedle was under a suspended sentence for an assault on his mother and had a record for violence.