Security cameras catch Sunderland man punching alleged love rival
A man punched an alleged love rival in the face outside a Sunderland city centre Metro station after being told he had kissed his girlfriend, a court heard.
George Lumsden, 52, of Elmwood Street, Ashbrooke, whacked his victim once in an attack caught on CCTV on August 14.
Lumsden claimed he had lashed out after being attacked by him earlier that day.
But Chris Wilson, defending, confirmed there was a mix of anger surrounding the kiss and the coincidence of it being the anniversary of Lumsdon’s mum’s death.
At South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, Lumsden pleaded guilty to common assault.
Prosecutor Paul Anderson said: “That CCTV shows the defendant walking up to the man and punching him in the face.
“When interviewed, he said that he didn’t know who the person was. There’s some suspicion that he did.
“He sees the CCTV and says that he punched this person because he thinks that he assaulted him earlier.”
Lumsden has 41 previous convictions from 65 offences.
Mr Wilson said: “The incident was caught on CCTV and he did know the victim.
“He came out of the Metro station and was told by someone that this man had kissed his girlfriend.
“He was emotional and it was also the anniversary of his mother’s death. It’s quite telling that there’s no statement from the other person.
“He’s entitled to maximum credit for his guilty plea. There’s no evidence the victim sustained any serious injury, there is no statement.
“This offence was out of character for Mr Lumsden. He does have an antecedent history but they’re mainly pertaining to harassment.”
Magistrates fined Lumsden £80 and imposed a £32 victim surcharge.