Jodie Sainsbury, 35, of Easedale Avenue, Hull, admitted wounding a restaurant worker after smashing a glass into his face during a confrontation over two stolen bottles of red wine. The incident occurred on September 5, 2021, at a restaurant in Anlaby Road, west Hull. Alexander Ledger, 32, of Great Thornton Street, west Hull, admitted assaulting the restaurant manager, causing actual bodily harm. Both pleaded guilty to affray at Hull Crown Court.
Details of the Attack
Shortly before 11pm, Ledger entered the bar area of the restaurant, grabbed two bottles of red wine, and ran out. A kitchen staff member spotted him and gave chase, alerting the restaurant manager. The two men followed Ledger onto Anlaby Road, where they found him near a pub with Sainsbury. When asked to return the wine, Ledger responded, 'What are you going to do about it?'
Sainsbury, holding a full glass, struck the staff member on the right side of his head, causing the glass to shatter on impact. The victim suffered lacerations to his face and cuts to his neck. The restaurant staff retreated. The manager managed to grab one of the wine bottles from Ledger. Ledger raised the bottle above his head, then repeatedly punched the manager, knocking him to the ground. A scuffle ensued involving the manager, Ledger, and Sainsbury. During the incident, an ornamental elephant from the restaurant was swung at Ledger.
Arrest and Aftermath
The manager walked away, and Ledger and Sainsbury fled on bicycles. Police in Midland Street spotted them and, after being directed by their control centre to the pub area, realised the cyclists were the suspects. Sainsbury was arrested shortly afterward based on CCTV footage. She refused to name Ledger and claimed self-defence. Ledger was identified later when DNA from a watch found at the scene partially matched his profile.
The glassing victim was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary, where his wounds were cleaned and closed. He suffered ongoing sleep problems, headaches, and serious fear for his safety. The manager sustained a black eye, scratches to his face and head, and was also hospitalised for antibiotics and eye drops. He reported feeling shocked and unable to understand the violence, stating it would take a long time to recover.
Previous Convictions
Sainsbury had seven prior convictions, including assault causing actual bodily harm in October 2021. Ledger had 32 previous offences, including nine for violence and others for possessing offensive weapons. As a youth, he was imprisoned for four years in 2009 for attempted robbery, and in March 2015, he received an 18-month sentence for affray and possessing a firearm.
Sentencing and Mitigation
Rachel Scott, mitigating for Sainsbury, said she showed genuine remorse, wrote a heartfelt letter, and realised the seriousness of the injuries. Sainsbury was working part-time and had turned her life around. Molly Minter, representing Ledger, claimed he used only two punches, none while the victim was on the ground, and no weapon. Ledger was unemployed.
Recorder Abdul Iqbal KC noted that CCTV showed the victim 'covered in blood' after the glassing. 'Mercifully, the injury was not more serious than it turned out to be,' he said. 'The offence was committed against a person who was simply carrying out his work, providing a service to the public as a restaurateur.' He told Ledger: 'You acted in a prolonged and persistent way and were continually aggressive.'
Sainsbury received a one-year suspended prison sentence, 120 hours of unpaid work, and 10 days of rehabilitation. Ledger received a 15-month suspended prison sentence, a 26-session probation programme, and 10 days of rehabilitation, plus a £100 fine. Both were ordered to pay £500 costs. Ledger had already been fined by Hull magistrates for stealing the wine bottles.
