Spalding man sentenced for attacking former friend with car jack outside Bourne’s snooker centre

A man who knocked a former friend unconscious after striking him with a car jack has received a suspended jail sentence.

Jamie Church, 33, delivered two blows he and the victim left the snooker centre in Bourne.

Lincoln Crown Court heard a disagreement arose between the men after they had been drinking and playing pool in the club.

David Eager, prosecuting, told the court Church was returning to his car, which had its boot propped open with the car jack.

CCTV showed the victim acting in an aggressive manner towards Church and trying to trip him up.

Mr Eager said Church responded by picking up the car jack and delivering two blows to the victim's torso and head.

"The complainant hit his head on another car and fell to the floor unconscious," Mr Eager added.

The court heard Church had no previous convictions for violence and during his police interview claimed to have been acting in self defence.

Church, 33, of Everard Road, Tongue End, Spalding, admitted a charge of affray on January 15, 2023.

Chris Jeyes, mitigating for Church, said it was abundantly clear from CCTV that the victim went towards him in an aggressive manner.

However, Mr Jeyes said it was now accepted by Mr Church that he went over the top.

"The background to this offence is the use of alcohol on both sides," Mr Jeyes told the court. "He has rehabilitated himself, he has stopped drinking and taking cocaine.

"The second feature is his family responsibilities; he is caring for his mother."

Passing sentence, Recorder John Hardy KC told Church his actions went further than self defence.

"The response was disproportionate," Recorder Hardy said. "Using the car jack was the last thing that needed to be done."

Church was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment suspended for 18 months.

He must also complete 150 hours of unpaid work in the community and a three-month alcohol abstinence order.