Boozy groom, 37, who attacked a bridesmaid on his wedding night is convicted of assault
A boozy groom who attacked a bridesmaid on his wedding night has been convicted of assault.
Michael Hazell, 37, married his partner at the registry office in Camborne, Cornwall, in March last year, before heading to a wedding party in Hale Rugby Club.
But despite guests ‘enjoying themselves’, the night turned sour as Hazell got drunker, with him repeatedly ‘falling over’ and ‘unable to stand up’.
Appearing at Truro Crown Court, Hazell, of Queensway in Hayle, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and underwent his sentencing.
Prosecutor Mr Quaife said: ‘The defendant spent the afternoon and evening drinking and drank until he was unable to stand up.’
Michael Hazell, 37, who got drunk on his wedding night and attacked a bridesmaid has been convicted of assault
Michael Hazell married his partner at the registry office in Camborne, Cornwall, in March last year, before heading to a wedding party in Hale Rugby Club (pictured)
He added: ‘He was what is described as “falling over drunk” and had to be helped up.
‘Eventually it was suggested the wedding party should leave. The best man took the defendant outside and the defendant turned on him when he tried to sit him down. Both ended up falling over.’
Shortly after, a bridesmaid, who was the wife of the best man, joined them outside and asked ‘what he was doing’, the court heard.
‘As soon as she asked, the defendant swung out his right arm and hit her to the side of the head, grabbing her hair at the same time’, Mr Quaife added.
‘The blow was with such force it knocked the tiara off her head and she fell to the ground and felt immediate pain’, he said.
Police were called and Hazell was found asleep in the car. He told police the next day he couldn’t remember what happened.
The bridesmaid attended West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance and was found to have post concussion syndrome. She reported it being two weeks until she felt normal again.
Hazell underwent his sentencing at Truro Crown Court in Cornwall
In mitigation it was heard that father-of-four Hazell has experienced family difficulties and was doing all he could to support them.
Sentencing, Judge Robert Linford said: ‘It was your wedding day and you saturated yourself with alcohol and got off your head.
‘Of all the things to do you punched a bridesmaid. I’ve never heard of such a thing. It was outrageous. Whenever you look back at your wedding day – something that should have been a happy day – you’ll look back and know you assaulted a woman.’
Hazell was given a 12-month community order. He must complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay the victim £250 compensation.
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