A ‘HARD working family man’ who assaulted a reveller on a night out in the town centre has been spared jail.

Adi Mirea, of Smith Street, knocked his victim to the floor with a punch outside Reef Bar on Bridge Street, before continuing his attack on the ground.

The incident left the man with a black eye and deprived him of four of his teeth.

Mirea, 29, was hauled before Liverpool Crown Court to hear his sentence after being convicted by a jury of grievous bodily harm.

Here, he was told that his prison sentence could be suspended because of his previous good character and realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

Prosecutor Jamie Baxter informed the court how on September 1 last year, Romanian-national Mirea was captured on CCTV launching what he described as an ‘unprovoked attack’.

After knocking his victim to the floor, the defendant delivered a further punch to the head and at least one kick to the body.

Mr Baxter spoke of how the victim’s injuries have had a lasting effect on him, including a loss of confidence stemming from his missing teeth.

Both the defendant and the victim were under the influence of alcohol at the time.

In defence of his client, Philip Clemo pointed out that the attack was ‘relatively brief’, lasting 16 or 17 seconds in total, and he made reference to Mirea’s lack of previous convictions.

Warrington Guardian:

He said: “The incident was entirely out of character and the defendant has a low risk of reoffending.

“He is a hard worker to support his wife and two children, and should he go to prison, it would worsen their financial struggle.

“He is willing to work with the probation service and has a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

“His actions were foolish after having a drink. Give him a chance to prove himself and put him on a tight leash.”

Before passing his sentencing, judge Thomas Teague said: “My view is that you were the aggressor from the outset and that this was not a case of self-defence.

“However, I accept that you may have been reacting to some verbal provocation from your victim.

“You have no previous convictions and your pre-sentence report accepts that you are a hard working family man and that this incident was out of character.

“But this case is too serious for anything other than a custodial sentence.”

Mirea was sentenced to nine months in prison suspended for 18 months.

He was also ordered to complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours unpaid work.