A DRUNK labourer repeatedly punched and kicked a businessman in the head after an alcohol-fuelled fight in Southampton.

Gary Lacey attacked his victim and was said to have “jumped on his head” in Palmerston Park.

In a video, recorded by a witness, Lacey was seen punching and kicking his victim in the head, as he lay on the ground.

The footage showed 36-year-old Lacey getting up before appearing to shove his then-partner, before walking away.

The video was shown at Southampton Magistrates’ Court during a hearing into the assault, which happened in July last year.

Magistrates heard how Lacey had gone out for a drink at city centre bar Yates on July 21 with his partner.

While drinking at the Above Bar Street venue, the pair befriended a businessman, who was staying at a nearby hotel.

Prosecutor David Finney said the trio bought each other drinks, and Lacey and his partner left the bar intoxicated.

Mr Finney said the victim then left pub, before spotting Lacey and the woman arguing in Palmerston Park.

 

Mr Finney said: “He (the victim) said ‘get off her’ and the defendant then assaults him.

"He punches him in the back of the head which causes him to fall over.

"Lacey then punches him and kicks him in the head several times.

"He (the victim) said he thought he was going to die.”

Mr Finney said witnesses also saw Lacey “jump on the victim’s head”, and then attack his own partner, by putting her in a headlock and punching her in the stomach.

Police arrived and spoke to the injured businessman, who is said to have fainted twice in the company of officers.

He was taken to hospital with a cut to his ear and a concussion.

Mitigating, Kirsty Day said Lacey denied jumping on his victim’s head and said he had only shoved his partner, rather than punched her.

She said Lacey, a man previously of good character, was “disgusted” with himself and seeing the video “scared him”.

She added: “He does not recognise that as the person he knows himself to be.”

Lacey, a father-of-two, who currently works as a labourer, admitted two charges of assault by beating.

 

He will be sentenced later this month.

He faces a possible prison sentence when he is sentenced later this month.

Lead magistrate Felicity Botham said: “This is a very serious offence and it could have been fatal.

“You could have been standing there facing sentencing for a much more serious offence.

“This offence does cross the custody threshold.”