Man attacked friend at Bluewater (From News Shopper)

Man attacked friend at Bluewater

3:37pm Friday 3rd October 2008 in

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A 23-YEAR-OLD man who broke a friend's jaw in an unprovoked attack has been spared jail.

Thomas Dine, of Coombefield Drive, Dartford, was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday (October 1) after admitting causing GBH and criminal damage.

The attack at Bluewater shopping centre on May 30 left Lee Page with a broken jaw after he was punched to the ground and then kicked.

The court was told the attack happened after Dine had been left waiting in a car for half an hour.

Mr Page, who had been friends with Dine for around 10 years, had gone to meet his girlfriend in the centre.

When he returned to the car Dine attacked him in a rage. He had wanted to go and meet his own girlfriend.

Prosecutor Jo Cope said: "He ran at him, punched him to the side of his face and then to the other side, causing Mr Page to fall to the ground, knocking his head and becoming unconscious. The defendant then kicked him."

After the attack the 29-year-old victim was taken to hospital and had to have metal plates inserted to repair his fractured jaw. He has been left with speech problems.

Mrs Cope said he had been unable to return to his previous job which had involved working on scaffolding.

Anna Farley, mitigating, told the court Dine was a pleasant person who was respectful and mature.

She said: "He wants to renew the friendship but knows that is up to the victim.

"This has focused his mind. He knows he has got to get his anger sorted and he desperately wants help to control it."

Judge David Griffiths-Jones told Dine: "You subjected Mr Page to a cowardly attack. It was wholly unprovoked. It was unnecessary and left him with serious injuries."

Dine was given a 12-month jail term, suspended for two years. He was also given a curfew running from 8pm and 6am and ordered to wear an electronic tag for two months.

The judge also ordered him to carry out 250 hours' unpaid work and to attend an anger management programme.

Dine was also ordered to pay £1,500 compensation to Mr Page.