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A man high on drink and Valium left a piece of glass embedded in a family friend’s face when he ‘inexplicably and without warning’ lashed out in a pub, York Crown Court heard.
Marc Antony Franklin, 49, and his son’s best friend were part of a group that celebrated a birthday by spending the afternoon of October 11 drinking and watching the last day of the 2025 season at York Racecourse, said Rachael Landin, prosecuting.
They left Knavesmire at 5.30pm and moved to the Nag’s Head in Micklegate where they continued to drink, apparently happy in each other’s company.
“There was no hint of what was to come,” said Ms Landin.
“The defendant (Franklin) was seen to inexplicably and without warning lash out at the complainant (the son’s best friend) hitting him with a glass to the left-hand side of the face.
"The defendant continued to lash out at the complainant and had to be held back by others in the group.”
Ms Landin said the best friend was taken to York Hospital with a glass shard embedded in his face. It was removed by medical staff and left a scar.
When the son asked Franklin why he had done what he had, Franklin said it was the result of “just pent up anger”.
Defence solicitor advocate Neal Kutte said Franklin had been taking Valium without a prescription as well as drinking that day and couldn’t remember anything after entering the pub.
Franklin, of Stubley Road, Heckmondwike, Kirklees, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent.
Judge Simon Hickey quoted a letter from Franklin’s partner: “This is a good man who has made a serious mistake. He is genuinely remorseful. He has taken steps to address his difficulties.”
“I couldn’t put it better,” the judge said.
He added it was an “exceptional” case so he would take the “exceptional” course of suspending a three-year prison sentence for two years on condition Franklin does 30 days’ rehabilitative activities and 150 hours’ unpaid work. He must also pay £1,000 prosecution costs.
The drinking glass had been whole when Franklin lashed out with it.
Although Franklin had previous convictions for violence including robbery they were committed more than 19 years earlier when he was a young man.
Franklin’s partner was likely to lose her home if he was jailed and unable to pay for it, said the judge.
Mr Kutte said the victim had no ill-will towards Franklin and was still best friends with Franklin’s son. Franklin had given up taking Valium and was now drug-free, the court heard.