Reveller admits smashing glass into side of man's head in Hartlepool bar

Dylan Russell, 24, accepts striking Karl Meggs while he was holding a glass in Bar Paris in Hartlepool town centre but claims he believed Mr Meggs had punched him in the face first.

Russell is standing trial at Teesside Crown Court on a charge of wounding with intent which he denies.

Mr Meggs told Teesside Crown Court he had been looking for his friends who he had become separated from when he noticed a commotion on the packed dance floor.

He said he saw Russell, who he knew, coming towards him with an angry look on his face.

Mr Meggs said: “I saw him coming with a glass in his hand. I just felt a smash into the side of my head.”

He said Russell was holding a short tumbler style shot glass. He said there were no words exchanged between them before Russell hit him.

Mr Meggs added: “I put my hands to my head where I had been hit and there was blood down my face.”

He was treated at the One Life Hartlepool medical centre for cuts to his head and left ear and had small shards of glass removed.

He showed a scar that he has been left with to the jury.

The court heard the pair exchanged a series of messages on Facebook following the incident.

One by Russell read to the jury said: “It didn’t happen for no reason, you shouldn’t try knock me out for nothing or was there a reason for you batting me.”

Mr Meggs responded: “I never did anything to you, never had a problem with you. Not normal to smash a glass into someone’s head is it?”

Russell, of Redcar Close, Hartlepool, admits unlawful wounding over the incident which happened at about 1am on Sunday, September 20, last year. But he denies he intended to do Mr Meggs serious harm.

Defence barrister Stephen Constatine said: “He believes he was punched by Mr Meggs.

“This wasn’t a premeditated initial assault intending to cause serious bodily harm.

“This is somebody who reacts. He is a hot head.”
Mr Constantine said Russell did not break the glass first to use as a weapon or hit Mr Meggs more than once.

He added: “He accepts he has done wrong, he will be punished for that.

“You cannot show he had that specific intent to cause serious bodily harm.”

The jury is due to consider its verdict today.