Lincoln man jailed for shattering victim’s cheekbone with one punch

A Lincoln man who attacked a complete stranger and left him with a shattered cheekbone has been jailed for a year.

Karl Schade, 44, was at a leaving do at the Square Sail on Lincoln’s Brayford Wharf North four days before Christmas 2018.

He became involved in an incident with his former partner who was out separately with a couple of friends.

Christopher Jeyes, prosecuting, told Lincoln Crown Court that Schade’s ex went over to speak to him and there was a disagreement between them which resolved.

Schade’s former partner Elizabeth Bridges returned to sit with her friends but Schade then followed her.

Mr Jeyes said: “The defendant followed and came over to the table where they were. He was agitated and aggressive.”

Lincoln Crown Court was told that David Cutten, who was sitting at the table with his wife and Ms Bridges, stood up in an attempt to ensure nothing inappropriate happened.

Mr Jeyes said: “This defendant responded by punching him to the right side of his cheek causing him to fall back on his seat. It was a single blow. Mr Cutten immediately suffered intense pain which he described as excruciating.”

Mr Cutten, 56, was taken to hospital and was found to have a double fracture of his cheekbone.

He subsequently underwent an operation and continued to receive further treatment for the next three months.

Mr Jeyes said “He suffered terrible pain and was unable to eat solid food. He is still suffering numbness and it is unlikely that he will regain full feeling in his face.

“He is now unable to sleep on his right-hand side and he will have to live with the injury for many years.”

Schade, 44, of Goldsmith Walk, Lincoln, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm as a result of the incident on 21 December 2018. He was jailed for 12 months.

Recorder Sam Mainds, passing sentence, told him: “You went over to the table where this man was. He stood up in order to try and calm things down. You were seriously in drink and you punched him and caused him serious injury.

“You must go to prison. There is no option here because of the seriousness of the injury, the circumstances of what took place and the fact that you did not know this man. He was trying to calm the situation and you turned on him.”

Christopher Brewin, in mitigation, said Schade had no previous convictions and acted out of character.

“He was at the pub with friends. He was at a leaving do and accepts he was under the influence of alcohol.

“He was extremely emotional. He felt a hand on his arm. It was this gentleman trying to pacify things. Unfortunately, Mr Schade reacted violently.

“He has expressed shame for what he did. There is a sincere apology. This was completely against how he normally conducts himself.”