'You behaved like a pack of dogs': Thugs jailed for Wolverhampton pub attack
Two thugs who launched an unprovoked attack at a Wolverhampton city centre pub after being told not to take their glasses outside were starting jail sentences today.
Trouble flared after Martin Skidmore and James Garrett finished a game of pool and headed for the door at the White Hart in Worcester Street.
As they were leaving they were told by Steven Gumilar not to take their glasses with them, the city’s Crown Court was told.
When they went back inside 38-year-old Skidmore, from Tipton, picked up a pool cue and hit Mr Gumilar on the forearm with it eight times until it broke and then threw the shattered stick at him, said Mr Howard Searle, prosecuting.
Garrett, aged 32, and also of Tipton, joined in the violence by hurling four glasses, all of which missed the victim but one hit a member of the bar staff, fortunately without breaking or injuring the person.
Mr Gumilar hid in a corner but was tracked down by Skidmore who punched him to the floor and then kicked the man.
Garrett, who was celebrating his birthday, also struck the motionless victim before the two left.
Garrett also launched a vile racist rant against one of the police officers who arrested both of them nearby. Mr Gumilar was not seriously hurt although he suffered an eye injury, the court heard.
The court heard the attack was fuelled by excessive drinking.
Their lawyers also pointed out that the case had taken two years to be settled in court – the attack happened on June 14, 2015 – and the unnecessarily long wait had been stressful for the defendants, both of Wordsworth Close. It remains unclear why it took so long to resolve.
Miss Elizabeth Garcia, for Garrett also of Wordsworth Close, said: “He is a completely different person when he drinks to excess and does not know why he joined in the action. He is not a racist and fortunately none of the glasses he threw broke.”
Both men admitted causing grievous bodily harm while Garret further pleaded guilty to racially aggravated harassment. He was jailed for 17 months while Skidmore got 15 months.
Recorder Jason MacAdam told them: “You both behaved like a pack of dogs. It is fortuitous for you that you are not facing a murder charge. The message must go out that if you behave like this you have to go to prison.”
