Southampton man swings 'hard' punch in Bournemouth takeaway

Mark Trusler had been talking with the man before he swung at him from "out of the blue'".

Trusler, 35, fled the scene and left his victim needing surgery and two titanium plates fitted.

Prosecuting, Mike Mason said his victim had been visiting Bournemouth on the evening of December 30, 2021, to watch a football match.

In the early hours of the following morning, both he and Trusler had been in Mondo takeaway in Old Christchurch Road and were picked up on CCTV talking near the till area.

Trusler then left the victim's side, before coming up behind him and swinging a punch which connected with the victim's left lower jaw.

Mark Trusler leaving Bournemouth Crown Court

A victim personal statement described how the punch felt "very hard", and was "unprovoked", adding that the man had "no idea who issued the blow or why".

The defendant then left the takeaway and when arrested by police he denied having even been out that night.

Trusler later pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm (GBH) without intent.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard that he has 19 previous convictions including offences of battery, harassment, stalking, and breaches of orders

Mitigating, Tom Parker said: "[Trusler] is eager to pay compensation as he knows he needs to make amends."

At a sentencing hearing at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday, October 27, Assistant Judge Advocate General Robert Hill said: "It's very difficult to work out quite what happened, but what it led to was you throwing a punch in anger when [the victim] was in no state to defend himself.

"You caused his jaw to become fractured in two places, and there was a long and painful recovery."

He added: "The GBH matter was not long after you'd been released on licence for an earlier matter of violence."

Mondo takeaway in Old Christchurch Road

Trusler was also sentenced for breaching a restraining order which was imposed in October 2021 following a stalking conviction.

Mr Mason said Trusler had sent multiple "hurtful" messages to a person he was not allowed to contact under the order.

The communication had begun with a phone call in June, and had "continued there on", the court heard.

Trusler was jailed for a total of 12 months, however, this term was suspended for two years.

The defendant, of Manor Road North, Southampton, was ordered to pay £1,500 and £500 court costs.

He must do 80 hours of unpaid work and 42 rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) days.