Thug who attacked Castleford pub landlord given "one last chance"

Jack Dylan Noone, who has a history of violence and was already on a community order for affray, was in tears as he was told at Leeds Crown Court that he would not be jailed for the attack outside The Commercial Hotel last year.

The 25-year-old, who had been held on remand in HMP Leeds, appeared in court via video link.

Prosecuting, Jessica Randell, said that Noone had become involved in "previous incidents" with the 60-year-old landlord of the High Street pub.

At around 5pm on September 3 last year, Noone approached the victim outside the pub after he claimed he had been bullying Noone's father.

As the victim moved away, Noone grabbed him and punched him in the face and the chest three times.

The incident, which was caught on CCTV and played to the court, left the victim needing hospital treatment after he suffered a mild concussion and swelling to his face.

An impact statement read out in court said the victim had been left shaken by the attack and had become nervous about leaving his home.

Noone, of Magnolia House, Castleford, has nine previous convictions for 26 offences, including theft, drug dealing and affray in 2019 for brandishing a crow bar in Castleford town centre and getting into a fight.

For his latest court appearance, he admitted a charge of assault, and theft of headphones from B&M Bargains in Castleford.

Mitigating, Imran Khan said: "He expresses remorse and realises what he did was wrong.

"He claims his father was being bullied and that's what led him down that path."

He said Noone had become involved with drink and drugs but was now "back on his feet".

Judge Andrew Stubbs QC revoked the community order Noone had received for the affray in 2019, and handed him a new community order for 18 months.

He told him: "It will be one last chance. If you don't take it, we will meet again."

He also handed him a five-year restraining order to keep him away from the victim.