A bad-tempered argument at a restaurant over splitting the bill for a birthday meal suddenly turned violent when a man lost his temper and repeatedly punched his friend of 30 years – breaking his jaw.
Lawrence Tyler angrily lashed out after coming back to the table to find other members of his group arguing about who should pay what. The victim’s face was left covered in blood and he needed an operation as well as further treatment, Hull Crown Court heard.
Tyler, 59, of Windsor Crescent, Bridlington, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm on the man on September 27 last year.
Sophie Souflas, prosecuting, said that Tyler and the 66-year-old man had known each and been friends for about 30 years. Tyler’s son was the partner of the other man’s daughter and they had four children together.
The man went out for a meal on a Friday evening to celebrate his birthday with his wife and friends, including Tyler. There were eight people in the group. They met at 6.30pm at an Indian restaurant in Cliff Street, Bridlington, and they were all drinking.
The meal finished at about 8.30pm and they had earlier agreed to split the bill. “However, one member of the party – the victim’s brother – did not want to do this and, after the meal, he wanted to pay for what he had eaten, which was less than the others,” said Miss Souflas.
The man claimed that Tyler’s wife was being “loud” and was questioning the bill and the lower amount that the brother had put in. The man admitted that he might have said something along the lines of “Put a sock in it.”
Tyler was in the toilet while the heated words were being exchanged. He returned to the table and saw what was happening. He started punching his friend around the head with both clenched fists.
Tyler punched him about five or six times before he was stopped by waiters. “The punches caused his head to go backwards and hit the wall,” said Miss Souflas.
He did not see where Tyler went after the assault and he just wanted to go home with his wife. He left the restaurant. “It was only when his brother pointed it out that he became aware of the blood all over his face,” said Miss Souflas.
At home, he was in a lot of pain and his wife telephoned for an ambulance. Because of demand, the ambulance service sent a pre-paid taxi to take him to the accident and emergency department at Scarborough Hospital.
It was confirmed that the man had fractures to his lower jaw. He was later transferred to York District Hospital for an operation, including putting in two plates. He was discharged on the following Monday but later had to return to hospital because of complications over the injuries and he had further surgery on October 24.
The man later said: “At the time, I was shocked by the incident because it was a good friend of 30 years and there is a family connection. After the initial treatment, I was in pain and felt embarrassed how I looked.
“I liked walking but felt that I couldn’t go my usual routes and went where I wouldn’t meet up with anyone I know. I had plates put in my face and then, a month later, I got an infection in one of the screws, which resulted in me going back into hospital and getting all the plates, that had been initially fitted, taken out and new ones put in.
“After this operation, I had to attend York Hospital on a further four occasions, which had a financial impact and caused me mental distress as well at the time – that I will never get back.”
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On June 16 this year, his teeth were shaved as his jaw was not aligning properly. He was due to have physiotherapy for his jaw so that he could get it working again.
Rachel Scott, mitigating, said that Tyler had shown shame and embarrassment for what he had done. “This was a nasty injury and this defendant concedes that,” said Miss Scott. “He is genuinely remorseful.”
There had never been a dispute between the two men before. There was a dispute about the restaurant bill. Tyler was keen to resolve the issues with his friend and he had been in contact with him by text message.
“He apologised profusely and sought to rebuild the relationship that they had,” said Miss Scott. “He is hopeful that they can start to rebuild the relationship and put this behind them.
“He should have known better than this behaviour. He has been entirely triggered by what went on when he left the table. He behaves in a terrible way and completely lost his temper.
“He has saved £3,000 to pay compensation. He knows that he has to try to right the wrong. He knows he never will. This was very much a one-off.”
Tyler had previous convictions but nothing for violence and the most recent was in 1987. He had been married for 35 years and worked in construction, doing maintenance for flats. He was a registered gas engineer.
Recorder Caroline Sellars said that it was “unbelievable” that Tyler had behaved in such a way towards someone who was a friend of 30 years. There was a minor dispute over the restaurant bill, which did not even involve Tyler but he landed a “flurry of punches” at his friend, breaking his jaw in two places.
“You had been away from the table,” said Recorder Sellars. “Behaviour like this can’t be tolerated.”
Tyler was given a six-month suspended prison sentence and 180 hours’ unpaid work. He was ordered to pay £3,000 compensation.