A brute’s one-punch assault left a fellow clubber with a life-changing injury – but he walked free from court despite having two cautions for previous attacks.
Swindon Magistrates’ Court in March, Luke Rumble pleaded guilty to unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm – and yesterday (3 May), he returned to be sentenced.
The 29-year-old had been drinking in Tree Nightclub with a group of friends when he punched a man in the face as he left the smoking area in the early hours of 16 August last year.
The victim had no memory of the attack, and could only remember being outside the establishment covered in blood. His friend – who didn’t witness events – took him home to look after him.
The victim was later taken to Great Western Hospital before he was transferred to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford where they diagnosed a fractured cheekbone.
Prosecutor Keith Ballinger said the man had to undergo emergency surgery and lost sensation in part of his face. He said that the numbness could be permanent.
Police launched an investigation into how the victim sustained his injury and as part of their probe, they trawled CCTV footage from that night. They discovered Rumble inflicted the lasting injury with a single punch – which knocked the man to the ground.
In a custody interview, the defendant told officers that he spotted a man staring at him and his behaviour made him feel uncomfortable. He claimed when he left the area, the man followed him. Worried about what might happen, he lashed out and threw a punch.
The court heard how Rumble, of Cullerne Road, Stratton, Swindon, has two cautions for separate assaults on his record, with the most recent being in 2019.
Emma Hilliar, defending, said her client has been “extremely remorseful from the beginning”, including during his police interview.
She said he is “shocked by his actions” and only assaulted his victim because he “felt a sense of danger” – adding that he has not tried to justify his actions in any way.
Magistrates were asked to read his pre-sentence report prior to sentencing, whilst Ms Hillier confirmed he works as a roofer and lives with his parents.
The bench felt the crime passed the custodial sentence threshold, but decided not to send the case to Swindon Crown Court for a more significant punishment.
They imposed a six-month prison term suspended for 24 months. Rumble must complete 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days and comply with a three-month GPS monitored curfew between 7pm and 6am daily.
He was told to pay £1,000 compensation to the victim, a £128 surcharge and £85 costs.
