Carer left man with fractured skull and bleed on brain after Newcastle city centre argument over hat
by Sara Nichol · ChronicleLiveA carer left a man with serious injuries after an city centre argument over a stolen hat turned violent.
Michael Short, who has 'Keep Fighting' tattooed on his forehead, lashed out at the victim and punched him once to the head, leaving him unconscious, fracturing his skull and causing a bleed on the brain. A court heard that the 33-year-old also struck another male, which left him with concussion and a bleeding nose.
Meanwhile, Short's brother, Alexander Short, knocked out a third male by punching him once but he didn't suffer any serious injuries. Newcastle Magistrates' Court was told that an argument had broken out between the victims and the Short brothers after they accused the duo of stealing a hat from one of them.
CCTV footage showed the two groups move outside of Rusty's Bar, in Newcastle city centre, where they had all been drinking, and "remonstrate" with each other for around 15 minutes.
However, in what was described as "excessive self-defence", Michael Short suddenly lashed out and punched the first victim, causing him to suffer the serious injuries and leaving him with no sense of taste or smell, which medics think could be permanent.
Michael Short also struck the second victim, causing concussion, while Alexander Short punched the third male, knocking him unconscious. Both men were later arrested and appeared in the dock this week.
Michael Short, of Brinkburn, Chester-le-Street, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm without intent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possession of cocaine, while Alexander Short, 25, of Eden Terrace, in Shiney Row, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Prosecutor Ruth Forster, said the victims were drinking in Rusty's bar at around 2am on March 15 this year when the Short brothers and their girlfriends walked past. The group of males believed that, in doing so, the pair had taken a hat from one of the victim's heads.
Mrs Forster said an argument erupted outside the premises, which lasted for 15 minutes, as the Shorts denied touching the hat. Mrs Forster continued: "The next thing the [first victim] remembers is waking up in the RVI having been told he had been assaulted.
"He had suffered a bleed on the brain, a fractured skull, and deafness in his right ear. He's got no memory whatsoever of what happened but he suffered serious injuries.
"He was actually knocked unconscious by one punch by Michael Short, which is shown on the CCTV." The court heard that the victim's hearing in his right ear is slowly coming back but he may have permanently lost his sense of taste and smell.
Mrs Forster said that, as well as punching the first victim, Michael Short also punched the second victim, who suffered a bleeding nose and concussion. Meanwhile, Alexander Short punched the third male, who was knocked unconscious also and left suffering from dizziness and memory loss.
Mrs Forster added: "All of this sadly, very sadly, has happened as a result of someone taking a hat, which shows the influence alcohol can have on people on nights out."
The court was told that, when arrested, Michael Short was found in possession of two small packets of cocaine. Janice Hall, defending both, said Michael Short was a senior carer in a care home and only had one past conviction, while Alexander was a chef with no past convictions.
She said the brothers had felt threatened by the group of males and lashed out with "pre-emptive punches". Mrs Hall said both men pleaded guilty on the basis that their actions were "excessive self-defence".
The solicitor added: "They had nothing to do with the taking of any hat. They were approached and accused of taking it by the complainants. They informed door staff of the situation."
Mr Hall continued: "The complainants were demanding £40 from them for the hat or they would not leave them alone. There was also some name-calling towards their girlfriends. The first contact seems to be that Michael Short is pushed backwards by [the first victim] and he immediately responds to that with a single blow."
Magistrates gave Michael Short a six month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered him to do 200 hours of unpaid work. He was also fined £623 and must pay £2,000 compensation to his first victim and £150 to his second. Alexander was given a 12-month community order and must do 80 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay £500 compensation to his victim.
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