Spalding man sentenced after fracturing work colleague’s eye socket

A Spalding man who fractured a work colleague's eye socket with a single punch was given a suspended jail sentence and ordered to pay his victim £500 compensation.

Tiberiu-Lucian Grozav , 36, carried out an unprovoked attack on the victim after blacking out during a night out drinking in Spalding on August 25 last year.

Lincoln Crown Court heard the victim was walking along St John's Road in Spalding towards Aldi at around 9.30pm when he became aware of someone walking behind him.

The victim initially speeded up but stopped to face the person behind him after realising he did have a lighter, the court was told.

Grozav accepted the lighter but then punched the victim to the right side of his face causing him to stumble backwards.

The court heard Grozav then shouted "do you want some of that" to the victim who walked away.

Police were not called about the attack until August 31 when the victim became concerned about increased bruising to his face and difficulty eating.

The victim attended Boston Pilgrim Hospital where it was confirmed he had suffered three fractures to bones around his right eye.

Grozav was arrested and confirmed he knew the victim "only by sight" from work. During interview Grozav said he had blacked out on the night of the assault after the alcohol he had been drinking mixed with his epilepsy medication.

In an impact statement which was read out in court, the victim described how he had suffered flashbacks and discomfort eating since the attack.

The victim was also forced to lose a day's pay by the assault.

Grozav, of Lancelot Way, Spalding, admitted one charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm on 25 August, 2023.

Rebecca Freitas, mitigating, told the court Grozav had been drinking in a Spalding bar on the night of assault and could not remember what happened.

Miss Freitas said Grozav had now given up alcohol and since the incident had only consumed one glass of wine on his wedding anniversary.

The court heard Grozav had also secured a place at the London College of Contemporary Arts to complete a management degree.

Passing sentence Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight told Grozav: "Your single punch caused three fractures around his right eye."

But Judge Sjolin Knight said Grozav had demonstrated remorse and shame, and "all but stopped drinking."

"It seems to me I am sentencing a different man today," Judge Sjolin Knight added.

Grozav was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months.

He must also complete an 120 day alcohol abstinence order and 80 hours of unpaid work, and was ordered to pay his victim £500 compensation.

Judge Sjolin Knight warned Grozav: "Be quite clear you will never have this chance again."