A MAN from Colwyn Bay left his friend unconscious after kicking and punching him repeatedly following an argument at his home.

Jodey Brown had invited Martin Handy and his partner to his flat on the evening of September 22, 2023, but turned “violent and aggressive” towards him while intoxicated.

Today (October 25), Brown, 50, of Coed Pella Road, was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment, suspended for a year-and-a-half, at Caernarfon Crown Court (sitting at Llandudno Magistrates’ Court).

He had previously pleaded guilty to wounding.

Prosecutor Joshua Gorst said that, on the night in question, Brown and Mr Handy had both been with their partners at Brown’s home to have food and drink – the flat is above the Colwyn Bay Legion club, which Brown runs.

But at about 11.15pm that evening, police received two calls requesting their attendance at the address, after Brown had been “kicking off”, “smashing items”, and fighting with Mr Handy.

When officers attended, they found Mr Handy on the floor, bleeding from his face and head, and vomiting – by then, Brown had fled the scene.

Closed circuit television footage showed Brown running up behind Mr Handy, taking him to the floor, and punching and kicking him repeatedly, in the bar area of the club.

Mr Handy was admitted to hospital overnight, having lost consciousness, fractured his eye socket, and damaged his teeth.

Brown was arrested the following day, having been found hiding in woodland.

He had been accused by Mr Handy of “trying it on” with his partner, but the defendant told police this was incorrect, and Mr Handy was “just paranoid”.

Mr Handy added that he suffered a swollen face which made it difficult to eat and which upset his children to look at, while he had to take three weeks off work, causing him a loss of £1,000.

Defending Brown, who had four previous convictions for seven offences, Elen Owen said he is “very remorseful”, and has not re-offended in the 13 months since this incident.

She said he “hugged and apologised” to Mr Handy shortly after the attack, which happened at a time when Brown was “under a huge amount of stress”.

Ms Owen said he and his partner had not been paid for 26 weeks at the time, despite having worked “non-stop, without holidays”.

A total of five character references, made by those who know Brown on his behalf, all spoke “extremely highly of him”, she added.

Sentencing, Judge Nicola Jones also ordered Brown to complete 15 days’ rehabilitation activity, a 35-session programme requirement, and 150 hours of unpaid work.