Barman jailed for attacking customer who borrowed £20 and spent in rival pub

Andrew Wimbush was working in the Fleur de Lis in Stokenchurch, Bucks, when he gladly lent a customer £20, but was angered to learn the money had been spent at a rival pub in the village.

Wimbush then reportedly texted the victim to vent his frustration, before the customer returned, threw £20 over the bar and left.

Blinded

Wimbush then pursued the customer and launched the attack, which left the victim blind in one eye.

At Aylesbury Crown Court last week, the barman pleaded guilty to one count of inflicting grievous bodily harm for the incident on 13 September last year.

He was sentenced to two-and-a-half imprisonment and victim surcharge of £130.

The Bucks Free Press​, which was at the hearing, reported that, after the damaging blow, Wimbush turned back to put the man, who he was friends with, in the recovery position.

'Wicked'

Judge Francis Sheridan, who passed the sentence, said: "It was a wicked thing. The effect is very simple: he needed surgery and despite the best efforts of the surgeon, he's effectively blinded. That's simply an outrageous end to the loan of £20.

"It's a most unacceptable, dreadful injury you inflicted out of pure temper and arrogance.

"I'm told you are remorseful but I find that difficult to believe. You held out until the morning of trial; only then did you concede defeat because the evidence was overwhelming.

"That's the price you pay for a bad temper. The price your victim pays is one of a life with one eye."