Man admits ABH (From Stroud News and Journal)

Man admits ABH

A 28-YEAR-old man who blinded a woman when he threw a bottle in her face in a Stroud nightclub has pleaded guilty to causing her actual bodily harm.

Stuart Stobart of Thompson Road, Uplands, Stroud, had previously denied unlawfully wounding Sarah Cooper during an incident on November 2 last year.

Appearing at Gloucester Crown Court on Tuesday, he admitted the 'lesser' charge of causing actual bodily harm.

Hearing that the prosecution would accept Stobart's plea, Judge Jamie Tabor QC told the court that in his view the two offences were the same and would not affect his sentencing.

"This man threw a bottle and caused a very unpleasant injury to a completely innocent young woman," he said.

"Whether actual bodily harm or grievous bodily harm makes no difference to me."

The judge adjourned the case until May 23 for a pre-sentence report to be prepared - but only after warning Stobart that all sentencing options would be considered.

"You caused a very serious injury to a young woman, there are no promises being held out to you," he said.

Earlier the court heard how Miss Cooper had been an innocent bystander to an argument involving the defendant and another man on the night of November 2.

"This defendant was blind drunk and was aggressive and angry," said Ian Fenney, prosecuting.

"There was an argument between Stobart and another man in the context of a young woman. The defendant threw a bottle of Blue vodka mix clearly intending it to hit this man."

"In fact it missed and hit Miss Cooper very close to her right eye."

"She was rendered senseless but when she regained consciousness she was found to have a damaged retina. It had split."

"In the early days after the injury there had been hope that it would heal. However, that has not happened and she has effectively lost the sight in her right eye."

Mr Fenney said that as a result of her injury Miss Cooper, a computer operator, had been made redundant from her job.

He told the court that she would be seeking compensation for her injury.

Stobart was freed on unconditional bail until his sentencing next month.