Sunderland University student suffered skull-deep wound to his forehead in a glass attack on night out

The victim, who was studying engineering at Sunderland University, suffered skull-deep wound to his forehead in a glass attack at a Newcastle bar.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the undergraduate was left afraid to go back to his studies and anxious about future nights out in case of further attacks.

He said in a victim statement: "This has ruined my education."

Prosecutor Paul Cleasby told the court the student had been out with pals in November 2018 and they met up with Mitchel Smails, who lashed out during a "monumental overreaction".

Mr Cleasby said: "There appears to have been a brief conversation between the two which led to a misunderstanding, which resulted in a really monumental overreaction by the defendant, who struck the complainant to the head with a glass that he was holding.

"The complainant said he had done nothing wrong at all.

"It was colossal overreaction on the part of the defendant."

The court heard Smails had believed the victim had put his head towards his face.

While the victim, who was bleeding heavily, was taken to hospital for treatment, including 24 stitches to the wound, Smails headed to McDonalds.

Smails, who injured his own hand in the glass attack, boasted after the violence "when guys get shirty with you you've go to do what you've got to do".

He told police when questioned he had believed the victim was being "confrontational" with him.

Smails, 20, of School Avenue, Dunston, Gateshead, admitted unlawful wounding.

Judge Julie Clemitson sentenced him to 19 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with rehabilitation requirements and a six months nighttime curfew.

The judge told him: "Yours was a highly disproportionate reaction to whatever had taken place."

Judge Clemitson said the serious injury had a significant impact on the victim, who has been left permanently scarred.

Shaun Routledge, defending, said Smails, who works as a lifeguard, was only 18 at the time of the attack and has not been convicted of anything before or since that night.

Mr Routledge added: "What went on we will never know. He accepts he was in the wrong, it was a complete overreaction to whatever he perceived.

"This was a single blow and the defendant also injured his hand.

"He was shocked to learn the extent of the injuries he caused."

Mr Routledge said Smails' lifeguard work is due to come to an end but he has applied for other work and hopes to join the Army.

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