Hartlepool man Jacob Skidmore sentenced at Teesside Crown Court for beating dad of ex 'black and blue'
A drunken yob beat an older man black and blue in an “inexplicable” assault.
Jacob Skidmore, 30, punched the father of an ex-girlfriend repeatedly to the head after drinking with him in his home leaving him unconscious on the floor.
He then took and used the 63-year-old victim’s bank card, Teesside Crown Court heard.
The court heard Skidmore and the victim had not seen each other for some time until Skidmore walked past the man’s house on August 3, 2024, and they waved at each other.
Later they chatted and the victim invited Skidmore in for a drink and a catch up.
The court heard there had been no previous animosity between them although for no known reason Skidmore assaulted him.
Albany Kidd, prosecuting, said: “The defendant at some stage began punching the victim to the face and head.
“He lost consciousness and woke up some time later alone in his flat. His memory of the event is limited but he did recall at one point he was lying on the floor while the defendant continued punching him.”
When he came round his phone and wallet, containing his bank card, were missing.
Neighbours called for an ambulance although the victim did not wait for it as Skidmore returned and the man feared he would be attacked again.
He later went to hospital with severe swelling and bruising to his head and chest.
When he tried to cancel his bank card the next day, he learned it had been used twice in shops for amounts totalling around £70.
Skidmore, of Bridgepool Close, Hartlepool, was arrested when he attended Hartlepool Police Station on an unrelated matter.
He went on to admit actual bodily harm assault and fraud by false representation.
His barrister, Stephen Constantine, said Skidmore wanted to settle down but was “realistic” about the likelihood of being sent to prison.
Judge Jonathan Carroll said the assault was “frankly inexplicable”.
“For no identifiable reason at all, suddenly without warning you set about thrashing him, beating him.
“He woke up black and blue.”
Judge Carroll gave Skidmore 30 months for the assault and frauds, plus another six months from a previously suspended sentence, making three years altogether.