A man required facial surgery after being attacked in Bournemouth. The teen attacker received community service.
Emily Evans, a prosecutor, spoke in court. She said Hughes, then 19, drank with friends on November 1, 2023.
Around 3 AM, they walked down Old Christchurch Road. The victim walked toward them and bumped into someone in Hughes’ group by accident, starting an argument.
Hughes hit the man in the head, causing him to fall unconscious. The man went to a hospital for treatment and doctors found four cheekbone fractures, eye bruising, and decreased mouth movement.
The man needed surgery, where doctors used metal and screws to fix his face. He said his post-surgery pain was awful and he could not eat solid food for some weeks.
Nine months later, he still had nerve damage that hurt his schoolwork and social life. He even had to stop playing rugby.
Kevin Hill represented Hughes in court. He said Hughes was very drunk and misunderstood what occurred that night. He felt very anxious about the court case and genuinely feared the possible outcomes.
Hill stated the attack was unusual for Hughes, calling it an impulsive action. Hughes felt very sorry for what transpired and will soon complete his electrician apprenticeship. Hughes stopped drinking, afraid of his actions when drunk.
Judge William Mousley reviewed a probation report that said Hughes felt disgusted by his actions. Because he pled guilty to causing serious harm, he received a sentence.
Hughes received 18 months of community service and needs to do 180 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay the victim £3500 in court-ordered compensation.