Man jailed after attack outside pub

7 February 2011, 15:08 | Updated: 22 February 2011, 10:25

Dunstable man Kevin Saunders was jailed for 12 months today (Monday February 7th) for an attack outside a pub in Toddington.

Saunders, 44, was told by Judge Michael Kay QC that the assault, which put his victim in hospital for 9 days, was the sort of pub-related violence that plagues society.

He punched Peter Keogh twice as he lay on the ground, leaving him with six fractures to his skull.

Last month Saunders, now of Salters Way, Dunstable, pleaded guilty to inflicting greivous bodily harm. The prosecution at Luton crown court accepted his not guilty plea to the more serious charge of gbh with intent.

Prosecutor Claire Howell said Mr Keogh spent nine days in hospital following the attack which followed a row over swearing at The Bell pub.

She said that Mr Keogh had gone out with friends on the night of 9 Octboer 2009 and ended up at The Bell.

Outside the pub a row broke out and Mr Keogh and Mr Saunders began fighting. The victim went to the groundn where he was struck.

Saunders left the scene, but handed himself into the police station the next morning. He told the officers that Mr Keogh had hit him first and had tried to hit him after they went to the ground. He said he punched him a couple of times.

Judge Michael Kay QC said the victim was in a drowsey state and in no position to defend himself.

He said: "He had suffered a fracture to his skull and profound psychological problems following the attack. His relationships with others have suffered and his mood and demenour have changed since that night."

The judge said he accepted Saunders was a hard-working man who now felt remorse for what he had done but he went on: "This sort of serious violence relating to public houses is something that plagues society. "