A CHARD teenager has avoided prison after beating a man with a broken pool cue in a New Year’s Day high street attack.
Matthew Scriven, 19, of Chesterfield in Chard, appeared before Somerset Magistrates’ Court on Friday in Yeovil.
He pleaded guilty to one charge of possessing an offensive weapon, namely a pool cue, in Boots the Chemist in Fore Street on January 1 as well as an assault charge for beating Matthew Barratt.
Scriven was handed a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, because the offence was so serious.
Scriven followed Barrett into Boots after threatening him earlier in the day and struck his legs and head in front of staff and shoppers.
It was said to be a planned and deliberate assault with an offensive weapon in a public place with innocent bystanders which caused fear and inflicted injury.
The defendant will be required to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work over the next twelve months, as well as participating in Thinking Skills for 42 days. He was also ordered to pay compensation of £100, a victim surcharge of £80 and costs of £85.
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