Sign up to the GrimsbyLive newsletter for daily updates and breaking news Sign up here! Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A victim who recognised and approached the man who punched him unconscious four years earlier ended up being attacked again and left with broken cheekbones.

He went up to his original attacker and told him: "Do you know who I am? I'm the lad you punched next door in Gypsy Tears."

But it was "unwise" of the other man to speak to the person who had assaulted him, a court heard.

Reece Wilkin, 34, of Claremont Road, Grimsby, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm on December 23, 2017.

Andrew Bailey, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court that Wilkin punched the other man in the face on December 14, 2013, causing him to lose consciousness and suffer injury.

He was fined by Grimsby magistrates on June 27, 2014 for assault.

Both men were out in Cleethorpes at about midnight when the victim recognised Wilkin as the man who had previously punched him.

He had always wanted to know why Wilkin did it so he approached him outside a bar and said: "Do you know who I am?"

Wilkin said "No" and the man told him: "I'm the lad you punched next door in Gypsy Tears."

Seconds later, Wilkin punched him as hard as he could in an unprovoked attack.

It was later discovered that the victim had suffered broken cheekbones. He needed an operation to insert three plates.

His face "ballooned up" for eight weeks and his recovery was slow.

Wilkin had other convictions for being drunk and disorderly in 2002 and affray in 2006.

Saleem Khan, mitigating, told the court the victim took it upon himself to approach Wilkin and speak to him.

Father-of-two Wilkin was out for the evening with his wife and, after being approached, felt under a large degree of provocation.

"The trouble came to him," said Mr Khan.

"He didn't go looking for it. He felt intimidated. He was under some fear and apprehension at the time.

"But for the victim's actions, this would never have happened."

Wilkin had shown remorse. References revealed that he had raised large sums of money for charity.

Recorder Christopher Williams said: "It was unwise, perhaps, for you to be approached at that time."

He noted the charity work done by Wilkin.

"You have done great things in terms of your life for the sake of others," said Recorder Williams.

Wilkin was given a 15-month suspended prison sentence, 160 hours' unpaid work and was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation.

He was given a four-year restraining order.

Follow the Grimsby court mouse He's been scurrying around the courts for more years than he cares to remember but now Grimsby court mouse has gone digital. Follow the ins and outs at Grimsby's Magistrates Court and Crown Court with the rodent who knows every nook and cranny, from the dock to the cells. Join the group here

Follow or contact Grimsby Live

Contact us : Email the reporter who wrote this story .

Follow Grimsby Live on Facebook - Like our Facebook page to get the latest news in your feed and join in the lively discussions in the comments. Click here to give it or message us with a comment or story

Follow us on Twitter - For breaking news and the latest stories, click here to follow Grimsby Live on Twitter .

Follow us on Instagram - On the Grimsby Live Instagram page we like to feature great pictures from our area - and if you tag us in your posts, we could repost your picture on our page! Click here to follow Grimsby Live on Instagram .