Lee Hale and Alexei Archer sentenced over fight in The Malvern

Brian Chick was punched and kicked during the “sustained” assault, in the beer garden of The Malvern in Shirley.

He also had his head stamped on by one his attackers, Lee Hale.

The 22-year-old and his co-defendant, Alexei Archer, appeared at Southampton Crown Court for sentencing.

The court heard how the pair were drinking in the beer garden of the The Malvern, on Winchester Road.

Prosecutor Jeremy Wright said Mr Chick approached the pair and their friends, who were “making noise and smashing glasses”.

An argument broke out and Mr Chick was punched to the floor by Hale, Mr Wright said.

(Lee Hale)

As he hit the floor, Archer delivered a kick to his body.

This was followed up by Hale, who stamped his foot down on the left side of Mr Chick’s face.

The pair then left the scene.

Mr Wright said Mr Chick suffered bruising to his face in the attack, which took place in April.

Reading from a victim personal statement, on behalf of Mr Chick, Mr Wright said: “This has affected me more than I expected.

“I’ve always thought of myself as a happy and confident person that takes life in my stride, but I’m finding it very difficult to be around people.”

Mitigating on behalf of Hale, Jamie Gammon said the 22-year-old had pleaded guilty to one charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on the basis he had punched Mr Chick once and then stamped on him once.

Mr Gammon said Hale had himself been the victim of assault and that his own fears may have sparked his reaction.

He said: “It’s no excuse, but it perhaps gives a reason why he seems to have behaved in such an unacceptable way that day.”

Mitigating for Archer, Peter Asteris, said his client had pleaded guilty to one charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on the basis he had kicked Mr Chick once in the body.

(Alexei Archer)

He added that Archer regretted his actions and “knows he should have simply walked away.”

Mr Asteris said Archer had since become a father and wanted to support his child growing up.

In sentencing, recorder James Maxwell-Scott QC described the pair’s actions as “completely excessive”.

He said: “However this started, what matters is the reaction.” you Hale and you Archer.

“It was completely excessive.

“The injuries could have been far more serious and you are perhaps fortunate this case is in here for these offences of ABH and not GBH.”

Mr Maxwell-Scott sentenced Archer, of Coxford Drove, Southampton, to a 12 month community order, which included 80 hours of unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Hale, of Outer Circle, Southampton, whose offending was categorised as more serious, was given a 12 month custodial sentence, which was suspended for 18 months.

Hale, of Outer Circle, Southampton, was also made subject to a 12 month curfew, keeping him at his home between 9pm and 6am.

He will also have to complete 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Both Hale and Archer were banned from The Malvern for two years.