Rushden man jailed for unprovoked attack at party

A Rushden man has been jailed after an unprovoked attack which left his victim with a fractured nose and missing a tooth.

Ben Smith, of Kings Road, was "needlessly violent" and punched the man twice in the face at a New Year's Eve party as he saw in 2019.

At about 5am on New Year's Day the 23-year-old was at an address in Rectory Road, Rushden, when he attacked his victim seemingly without provocation.

The victim, who is in his 30s, was taken to Kettering General Hospital and suffered a fractured nose, a black eye and cuts and bruises to his head.

He also had a front tooth knocked out.

In March this year Smith was found guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm by magistrates and was bailed ahead of his sentencing.

The coronavirus crisis meant his sentencing was due to take place in August, but he didn't turn up at court and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Police later arrested him and he was hauled before magistrates in Northampton this month, where he was jailed for a total of 26 weeks.

A Northamptonshire Police spokesman told the Northants Telegraph: “This was a completely unprovoked attack on a man who was simply trying to enjoy a New Year’s Eve party.

"Ben Smith launched an attack on him without any reason and we hope he reflects on this needlessly violent behaviour during his time in prison.”

Smith must also pay his victim £300 in compensation.

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