Thug asked a passer-by the time before punching him in the face

Daryl Fowler, 27, of Elizabeth Diamond Gardens, South Shields, whacked his victim as he and a friend walked home along Eglesfield Road in South Shields on Saturday, February 8.

He may have done so out of grief for his aunt, who had died days earlier, South Tyneside Magistrates was told – and he was also drunk.

Jobless Fowler, who is due to get married, has now been ordered to pay compensation to his victim – of £75.

Prosecutor Glenda Beck said: “The victim and a friend were returning home and walking together.

“Mr Fowler was walking towards them. He asked the victim the time, and when he looked, he punched him in the face. It was unprovoked.

“He went to throw another punch but the victim was better prepared. Both fell to the floor.

“A passer-by approached and called the police on behalf of the complainant. The defendant was arrested and taken to Southwick police station.

“He was interviewed and said that he had been drinking and on his way to his girlfriend’s home had punched a man for no reason.

“He admitted that he was in the wrong and showed remorse for his actions.”

The court heard Fowler had a 2016 conviction for a violent assault.

John Wesencraft, defending, said: “He had been out of trouble for some time and is somewhat disappointed to be in court.

“He thinks that it was the result of the loss of his aunt to whom he was very close. Her funeral was five days before this event.

“He freely admits that in the days after her death he took too much drink and admitted to police that he was in drink when he carried out this offence.

“To his credit, he immediately showed remorse, and given the length of time since he was last in trouble, he is trying to turn himself around. This could be seen as falling off the wagon.”

Fowler, who admitted assault by beating, was also given 12-month conditional discharge and must pay £85 court costs and a £32 victim surcharge.