Ad
Friday, October 31, 2025

Scaffolder jailed over unprovoked attack

ADVERTISEMENT

A scaffolder who kicked a man in the face, breaking his nose, has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Louie Spencer set upon the victim in Yates bar, Belvoir Street, in the city centre.

Leicester Crown Court was told the 30-year-old victim was out celebrating a friend’s stag night when he was suddenly floored by two punches.

Spencer then kicked him in the face.

The injured man, who also suffered a black eye and three chipped teeth, underwent surgery on his fractured nose and was in hospital overnight.

Judge Simon Hammond banned Spencer, a scaffolder, from Yates bar for two years.

He said: “It was totally unprovoked. He might have bumped into the defendant in a crowded bar but that’s no justification.”

Spencer (27), of Mill Lane, Enderby, was found guilty by a jury of causing actual bodily harm on Saturday, July 18, 2009.

He denied the offence, claiming the victim banged into to him and head-butted him.

He denied kicking and said he threw two punches in self-defence.

Judge Hammond said: “His version was supported by his wife and a friend who gave evidence.

“However, CCTV footage of the incident clearly showed the victim had not head-butted him.

“It showed the defendant punching him and then punching him again from behind.

“It proved the defendant, his wife and friend told a pack of lies. The gravity of the offence was kicking him on the ground when he was defenceless.

“Booting someone in the face can cause serous injuries. It was unprovoked, gratuitous violence by a bully, which often makes cities and towns no-go areas.

“The next day the manager viewed the CCTV footage.

“He later saw the defendant in the bar boasting to friends about what he’d done.”

Esther Harrison, prosecuting, said Spencer had previous convictions for offences of violence.

James Bide-Thomas, mitigating, said Spencer was a hard-working family man with a young child.

He said the offence happened on the spur of the moment and was not premeditated.

He added there was a gap since his last offending and he had turned his life around for the better.

Mr Bide-Thomas said: “He knows his behaviour was totally unacceptable.

“He’s come to court expecting the worse.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Popular Categories

Latest news

House-building recovery delayed until 2029, industry warns

The Construction Products Association warns UK house-building will not recover to pre-pandemic levels until 2029 or 2030, urging government support for first-time buyers to prevent further insolvencies and job losses.

Staht secures largest ever distribution deal with Leach’s

One of the UK’s leading testing technology firms, Staht, has announced its largest ever distribution agreement after joining forces with Leach’s. The partnership will expand...

Avontus to host free webinars on digital scaffold management this November

Avontus Software has announced a series of free, live webinars in November designed to help contractors overcome the everyday challenges of tracking and managing...

Scaff25 announces global line-up of industry leaders for Sydney conference

The Scaffolding Association Australia (SAA) has revealed an impressive line-up of international speakers for its upcoming Scaff25 Annual Conference & Awards Night, set to...

Demolition firm issues statement following Manchester building and scaffolding collapse

Manchester-based demolition contractor P.P. O’Connor has released an official statement following Friday’s partial collapse of a building surrounded by scaffolding in the city centre. The...

Building and scaffolding partially collapses in Manchester city centre

A building in Manchester city centre has partially collapsed during demolition work, with scaffolding and debris seen falling into the nearby River Irwell. Emergency services...

Benchmark Scaffolding wins Silver at national awards

Benchmark Scaffolding has been recognised with the Silver Award in the Specialist Contractor of the Year category at the 2025 National Building and Construction...

Construction leaders unite against government plan to shorten apprenticeships

More than 20 construction organisations, including the NASC, have signed an open letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer warning that plans to cut apprenticeships to eight months risk undermining skills, safety, and confidence in training.

HSE launches major construction site safety inspections in Manchester

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is carrying out a series of unannounced inspections at construction sites across Manchester city centre this week. Twelve inspectors...

JR Scaffold honoured with Ministry of Defence Silver Award

Paisley-based JR Scaffold has been recognised among a select group of leading Scottish businesses to receive the prestigious Silver Award from the Ministry of...

Latest news

ADVERTISEMENT

The magazine

Issue 27 | Past issues >>

Popular

Building and scaffolding partially collapses in Manchester city centre

A building in Manchester city centre has partially collapsed...

Demolition firm issues statement following Manchester building and scaffolding collapse

Manchester-based demolition contractor P.P. O’Connor has released an official...

ScaffChamp 2025: Teams Gather in Vilnius for Opening Day

The international scaffolding competition ScaffChamp 2025 has officially begun,...

Scaff25 announces global line-up of industry leaders for Sydney conference

The Scaffolding Association Australia (SAA) has revealed an impressive...

Staht secures largest ever distribution deal with Leach’s

One of the UK’s leading testing technology firms, Staht,...

Related articles

Scaffolder’s Epic Munro Challenge Captured in BBC Documentary

Scotland — A Scottish scaffolder has captured national attention after the BBC aired a documentary following his extraordinary eight-year mission to descend all 282 of Scotland’s Munros — with his mountain bike. Sean Green,...
ADVERTISEMENTS

Latest topics

CISRS announces suite of new safety and inspection courses

The Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) has announced...

House-building recovery delayed until 2029, industry warns

The Construction Products Association warns UK house-building will not recover to pre-pandemic levels until 2029 or 2030, urging government support for first-time buyers to prevent further insolvencies and job losses.

Staht secures largest ever distribution deal with Leach’s

One of the UK’s leading testing technology firms, Staht,...

Avontus to host free webinars on digital scaffold management this November

Avontus Software has announced a series of free, live...
ADVERTISEMENTS