Retired John Beaufort Sadler, 73, yesterday received a suspended prison sentence and a one-year ban from his local.
He pleaded guilty to wounding David Lyon, inflicting grievous bodily harm, at The Crown, High Street, Sutton on December 1, 2019.
Prosecutor Nicola Grindey told Croydon Magistrates Court Sadler, of Green Wrythe Lane, Carshalton joined the victim for a chat in the pub.
“The victim offered to buy Mr Sadler a drink and went to the bar to order them and realised he had no money on him.
“He left the drinks on the bar and refused to pay for the round and Mr Sadler paid.
“Later, as Mr Sadler went to leave he pulled an item out of his coat pocket, a pen, and punched the victim in the face twice as the victim tried to kick him back.
“Mr Lyon was taken to hospital and an x-ray showed the spring from the pen lodged in his jaw and needed an operation to remove it, leaving stitches in his face.
“The victim now has two visible scars to his cheek, which caused him pain and discomfort following the operation when eating and trying to sleep for a few weeks.
“Mr Lyon says he is afraid to return to the public house due to perceived repercussions.
“The pen was used by the defendant as a weapon and he has convictions, but they are over thirty years old.”
Sadler’s lawyer Bruce Reid told the court: “If he was a younger man I wouldn’t ask for it to be dealt with in this court.
“For someone able bodied there is no reason they should not serve a period of custody, but you have someone at the age of seventy-three, out of trouble for thirty-five years.
“If he received a custodial sentence it would be far in excess of what would be merited.
“He had a heart attack a few years ago and a bowel operation.
“Too much alcohol had been consumed by both parties, certainly my client, but it is not an issue for him.
“He is at a loss to describe why he did this and he could not have predicted the damage it would have done to the victim.
“It must have been traumatic to have a spring dug out of his face.
“This is a gentleman who would suffer considerably if he was remanded to custody.
“For someone in his state of health and advanced years, not getting the full care of the NHS in custody it would be a severe sentence indeed.”
District Judge Hina Rai told Sadler: “You pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to this serious matter that is out of character, although you have convictions thirty years ago.
“It is a real shame to see you in this court at the age of seventy-three and this victim was left with injuries that will be lifelong for him.”
Sadler was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months and must complete twenty days of rehabilitation.
He must pay Mr Lyon £500 compensation, plus £85 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.
The court also imposed a twelve-month exclusion order, banning him from The Crown pub.
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