Wrexham Army veteran in court for assaulting friend

Delroy Brooker, of no fixed abode, appeared for sentence at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Monday.

The 44-year-old had previously admitted one offence of common assault, and one of possessing cocaine - both of which took place in Wrexham on October 6 last year.

Prosecutor Rebecca Kuipers told the court that Brooker had been out drinking in Wrexham City Centre with Andrew Rose; his then friend and the victim in the case.

After having drinks at the Welch Fusilier pub, they moved on to the Long Pull.

It was here that the defendant began to get "verbally abusive" towards Mr Rose, apparently over a "misunderstanding."

When the victim left the pub with his wife, he walked through the city centre - but the defendant went too and pushed him to the floor in Market Street.

The behaviour was captured on CCTV and Brooker was heard to say "I'll bite your f****** nose off you c***."

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The defendant was arrested and a bag of cocaine was found in his pocket.

Ms Kuipers told the court Brooker has six convictions for 11 previous offences.

A probation officer told the court: "Mr Brooker said he was out on the night with his girlfriend, and Mr Rose and his wife.

"He says the trigger for the aggression was that Mr Rose made unwanted advances towards his girlfriend and unacceptable comments - which upset Mr Brooker.

"He said Mr Rose actually came towards him and he pushed him away, but he has pleaded guilty to the facts of the case and he accepts them.

"He said regarding the small amount of cocaine found in his pocket that he wasn't aware it was there and hadn't been using it that evening."

The court heard that Brooker came to the Wrexham area from South Wales around two-and-a-half years ago and has no family in the area.

At the time of the incident he was living with the victim, but has since been made homeless and lives in a tent.

The probation officer added that the defendant is an Army veteran, having served from 2000 to 2004 - but received a conviction in his last year of service due to punching a senior officer he claimed had been racially abusive to him.

Emma Simoes, defending, said: "In terms of the catalyst which led to the offence; the complainant made very lewd and inappropriate comments and advances to his girlfriend.

"There was a significant amount of provocation there.

"He said he pre-empted a strike and that's why he pushed the complainant over."

Ms Simoes said her client had "lost a lot" as a result of the incident in terms of his accommodation with the complainant, and possessions.

The court handed down a 12 month community order with 60 hours of unpaid work.

Brooker must pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.