Nicholas Elliot, 45, was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison for throwing a bottle at a shopkeeper's face after being ejected from a store for aggressive behaviour. However, due to the time already spent in custody, he was released immediately.
Incident at Select and Save
The incident occurred on May 17 at the Select and Save store on Queens Road. Elliot entered the shop around 7pm and went straight to the counter, standing in front of another customer. When the shopkeeper began speaking to the other customer, Elliot became abusive.
The victim intervened and pushed Elliot by the shoulder in an attempt to remove him from the shop. Elliot left but stood outside the front door, continuing to be abusive and threatening. The shopkeeper then picked up a wire basket and moved towards Elliot, who responded by throwing a bottle at him.
Impact on Victim
The shopkeeper was left unable to drive and had to take time off work. In a statement, he said: "This has massively affected my confidence. I do not attend work to be abused or assaulted."
Court Proceedings
At Manchester Crown Court, Elliot pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm on the basis of excessive self-defence. Adam Lodge, prosecuting, detailed the events, noting that it was unknown whether the bottle was plastic or glass.
Eleanor Brambell, defending, said Elliot accepted acting aggressively in response to the situation. "He felt he needed to defend himself," she said.
Sentencing
Recorder Daniel Lister sentenced Elliot, of Fenchurch Avenue, to 16 weeks in jail. He stated: "It all happened quickly. You threw that bottle and caused him actual bodily harm. All because in that moment of madness you lost your temper." Elliot was released immediately due to time already served in custody.
