A WHITEHAVEN man glassed a fellow town clubber in a “moment of madness”.

CCTV captured Craig Andrew Hukins, 39, and Greg Lucas in conversation inside Shakers bar, Duke Street, on December 13.

However, Hukins suddenly grabbed a glass from Mr Lucas’s left hand and struck him in the head, causing it to break.

“Mr Lucas said in a statement he remembered seeing a glass coming towards his face,” prosecutor Wayne Jackson told Carlisle Crown Court.

“He was covered in blood, and had glass in his hair and his clothes.”

A forehead wound was glued in hospital, and Mr Lucas also suffered injuries around his nose. “He says it has had a devastating psychological effect on him,” said Mr Jackson.

Hukins made admissions almost immediately, saying “I shouldn’t have done it”, “I deserve everything I get”, and “it’s my own fault”.

A man of previous good character, admitted actual bodily harm assault.‬

In a letter to the sentencing judge, Hukins stated: “I’m genuinely remorseful. I’ve never done anything like this before and don’t ever intend doing anything like this again.”‬

Marion Weir, defending, said the out-of-character crime was a “moment of madness”. “He has been left in a position where he simply can’t believe the way he behaved,” she stated. “He extends his apologies to the complainant.”‬

Hukins, the sole carer for two children, was seeming to address his offending. This occurred amid difficult personal circumstances and following his wife’s sudden death.

“He was still in the grieving process and continues to be so,” added Miss Weir.

Recorder Eric Lamb concluded prison would have a detrimental impact on others, and that there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

An eight-month jail term was suspended for a year, and Hukins, of Croasdale Avenue, Whitehaven, must complete rehabilitation and pay Mr Lucas £1,200 compensation.

“You know that the face is a particularly vulnerable area,” said Recorder Lamb.

“He [Mr Lucas] has constant reminders of what you did to him in the scarring and the state of his nose, and that has been recognised by those close to him.”