Wedding Guest Smashed Woman's Nose With "Almighty Punch"

A drunken wedding guest smashed an innocent woman's nose with an "almighty punch" - leaving her needing £10,000 worth of reconstructive plastic surgery - when aiming a blow at her husband.

Groom's guest Neil Abbott, 41, had been drinking vodka during the reception at the Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington High Street when confronted about his boisterous behaviour on the dance floor and alleged groping of a young woman.

"That was an almighty punch, and I have seen some over thirty-five years, and from a man that is heavily built and this poor woman has suffered the most dreadful, dreadful injuries," announced Isleworth Crown Court Judge Simon Davis.

"This poor innocent lady was not expecting to be hit. You have played rugby in the past and you are a powerful man, one can see that, you do some physical work and that was meted out to this woman."

British Gas employee Abbott, a £50,000 a year work colleague of the groom, of Grace House, Erickson Gardens, Bromey pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm on Christina Mina on May 24, last year.

He was sentenced on Friday to eighteen months imprisonment, suspended for two years and must also compensate Mrs Mina £9,798.45p - money she has already spent on advanced dentistry and cosmetic surgery to rebuild her nose, which was flattened by the blow - as well as £950 costs.

Prosecutor Mr. Tom Rodgers told the court: "Mr. Abbott goes to punch Mrs Mina's husband and connects with one forceful punch on her.

"She has had reconstructive surgery and will have follow-up surgery. There will be cartilage taken from her to fix a fault with her nose, which had a detached septum and enlarged nostrils.

"Mrs Mina has delayed having children because of this, but will resume once she has recovered."

Abbott's lawyer Mr. Richard Paton-Philip said: "He was too intoxicated to be interviewed by police on the day, but the next morning showed remorse when shown the CCTV.

"There is nothing to suggest he is anything other than a good, decent man who acted out of character when he drunkenly threw this punch aimed at someone else."

"This defendant has said he is not going to drink in public again," said Judge Davis. "It's the drinking that concerns me. He was absolutely drunk that night and had he not been this would not have happened.

"At the root of this disgraceful event was drink, there's no doubt about that," he told Abbott. "You changed her life with one punch, if she had died and this was one-punch manslaughter you would be going to prison for a number of years.

"I believe you did touch that young woman on the dancefloor, maybe you did not realise it or maybe in a laddish gesture it was just a brush."

A witness said he and Abbott were enjoying "lads dancing" during the reception.

"Mrs Mina was hoping for a family and she is struggling with that now because of what you have done to her cosmetically and emotionally," added the judge.

"There are wounds that are not on the surface.

"However, if I send you to prison today you would lose your job and lose your house. I am prepared to accept this was completely out of character."

The Probation Service ruled Abbott would not benefit from an Alcohol Treatment Requirement, but the defendant promised the court he would voluntarily attend counselling.

"Are you going to be able to put up with questions from your friends when you are out like: 'Go on have another one. Where's your bottle? Where's your face?'" the judge asked Abbott.

The defendant replied: "You would have to be a fool not to learn from this experience. The coming and going to and from court, the pressure. You would have to change."