A MAN described as the “prime mover” in a violent late night incident during which an army medic suffered a fractured cheekbone has been given a suspended prison sentence.

The victim was walking back to army barracks with some colleagues along Sir Isaac’s Walk near Scheregate Steps in Colchester after a night out in the city when a group of people, including 26-year-old Macculey Hughes, started throwing bottles at them.

Seven or eight bottles were thrown in their direction from a seating area with some of them hitting the soldiers’ legs, said Richard Potts, prosecuting.

The soldiers asked the group what was going on and were then approached by Hughes and another man who was never apprehended.

During the violence which followed the victim was struck in the face causing him to stumble backwards and fall over with blood coming down his face.

He was later found to have a fractured cheekbone and other injuries which resulted in him losing his hearing in one ear.

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In a statement read to the court the victim said his injuries had “got him down” emotionally and had left him feeling frustrated because he couldn’t always hear what people were saying to him.

Kate Roxburgh, mitigating for Hughes, said it couldn’t be said the punch that caused the victim’s injuries was inflicted by her client.

However, she accepted he had played a significant part in the overall incident and must take some blame for the injuries.

The court heard Hughes had changed his lifestyle since the offence.

Hughes, of Clarkia Walk, Colchester, admitted an offence of affray which took place on July 17 2020 and was given a 12 month prison sentence suspended for two years and a 30 day rehabilitation activity requirement.

He was also ordered to pay £1,000 compensation to the victim and a £156 victim surcharge.

Sentencing him, Recorder Paul Garlick described the incident as “appalling”.

He accepted the blow to the victim’s face, which caused the fractured cheekbone, couldn’t be attributed to Hughes.

However, he said: “Nobody should be subjected to the sort of threats and fear the victim had on that night.

“I accept completely I can’t be satisfied your actions led to the blow but you were part part of the group.”