Ex-soldier left victim with multiple fractures

A FORMER soldier who is now in charge of protecting UK energy infra- structure from terrorism and cyber threats drunkenly beat up a man in a Swansea bar, a court has heard.

- JASON EVANS Court and crime reporter

James Erasmus headbutted and repeatedly punched his victim before putting him in a choke hold on the floor.

Swansea Crown Court heard Erasmus tried to flee the scene after police were called but was caught and arrested. A judge told the 42-year-old father-of-four that, while he had a “very responsible and very important job” on the night in question he had “behaved like a teenager who'd had his first drink” and he should be ashamed of himself.

Caitlin Brazel, prosecuting, told the court that in the early hours of February 9 this year both the defendant and the complainant were in the busy Jack Murphy's bar on Swansea’s Wind Street.

She said the complainant saw somebody fall to the floor in the bar and went to help, and at this point the complainant and Erasmus bumped into each other. At that point two women who were with Erasmus told the complainant “You don’t know what he’s done”

The court heard that the complainant decided that it was “safer” to walk away but before he could do so the defendant approached him, put his hands on their either side of his neck, and then butted him in the face.

The prosecutor said Erasmus then delivered “at least five punches” in quick succession which caused the victim to go to the floor, and then delivered further punches while the man was on the ground before putting him in a headlock.