Eastbourne bottle attack: Steven Stewart jailed

Steven Stewart attacked Lee Grover in Eastbourne in retaliation over being punched in Bolton’s Bar.

The enraged 36-year-old ignored friends trying to calm him down and lead him away.

He was seen smashing a bottle on the ground then confronting Mr Grover.

Stewart jabbed the broken bottle into the victim’s face, leaving him bleeding heavily.

His friend Daniel Clark, 27, also bottled Mr Grover about the head during the incident.

At Lewes Crown Court it was also revealed how Stewart threatened to stab police after driving dangerously and crashing in a separate incident.

He was also convicted of dangerous driving and other motoring offences.

Lewes Crown Court.

Stewart was jailed for a total of seven years and eight months.

Clark was given a two-year suspended prison sentence.

Christopher Prior, prosecuting, said the incident unfolded in August 2018.

He said two groups of men crossed each other at Bolton’s Bar and there was shoulder barging.

Then Mr Grover “delivered a series of blows” to Stewart including by hitting him in the face.

Steven Stewart admitted a bottle attack on Lee Grover after an incident at Bolton's Bar, Eastbourne, and attacked him along with pal Daniel Clark

The violence spilled over into the streets as Stewart and Clark pursued Mr Grover. Stewart’s aunt was in town and tried to keep him out of the violence.

But Mr Prior said CCTV showed Stewart breaking the glass bottle before twice jabbing Mr Grover to the face. Both Stewart and Clark bottled Mr Grover about the head.

Mr Grover was bundled into the Subway restaurant where he used paper towels to dress his wounds. He was left bleeding heavily from his head and face.

In a victim statement Mr Grover said he was supposed to meet his children the next day, but couldn’t because he had become embroiled in the fracas.

He said: “My face was cut to shreds. Part of me felt guilty if I’m honest. My partner saw me brutally assaulted and had to nurse me afterwards.

“Going out in public, wherever I went people would look at me. I felt they were judging me.”

Mr Prior revealed Stewart has previously been convicted of robbery and for wounding.

Then in an incident in March last year Stewart drove off at speed away from police officers.

He shouted: “I have a grenade by my backside and I’m going to pull the pin.”

Stewart said he would take out a “contract” on the officers and told them he had a knife as he held his arm behind his back.

Steven Stewart admitted a bottle attack on Lee Grover after an incident at Bolton's Bar, Eastbourne, and attacked him along with pal Daniel Clark

The officers then Tasered him.

Stewart, of Maxfield Close, Eastbourne Old Town, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, dangerous driving, failing to provide a breath test, driving while banned, and using threatening words or behaviour.

Clark, of Queens Crescent, Eastbourne, admitted causing grievous bodily harm without intent.

He was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation sessions and to pay £500 compensation to Mr Grover.

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