An argument over who was getting a taxi that had just pulled up outside a bar ended in a man getting knocked unconscious. Dermot Mitchell, 49, punched his victim to the face during the 2am row - leaving the man unconscious and with a bleed on the brain. Newport Crown Court heard the shameful scenes unfolded outside a bar in Abergavenny on October 29, 2021, when Mitchell approach the waiting cabbie - but was told by the driver he already had a fare. However, the court was told that an "intoxicated" woman approached Mitchell in an "aggressive manner" - believing he was trying to take the taxi she and her boyfriend had booked. Mitchell then opened the door and said "well you have it then", before being hit by the drunk woman in the face several times. Mitchell pushed her away, causing her to stumble, leading to her boyfriend to approach the defendant saying "don't touch her". The man took off his his coat and stepped forward and in the ensuing argument, Mitchell punched him to the left side of his head. The man then fell to the floor and lost consciousness as Mitchell ran away from the scene. The defendant was arrested at his home on October 31, 2021, and said "It's about the fight on Friday outside the bar. I got attacked first, it p****** me off, that's called self defence where I come from". Mitchell, of Nevill Street, Abergavenny, later pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm. The court heard he had 13 previous convictions including wounding. In mitigation, defence barrister Stephen Thomas there was no pre meditation and his client was not the instigator. He accepted there had been a "momentary lapse of control" and the defendant should have walked away. Judge Hywel James sentenced Mitchell to 12 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months. He also ordered him to carry out a 25 day rehabilitation activity requirement of 25 days. READ NEXT: Former rugby protégé who ended up running a drugs line Teenage car thief crashed Mercedes into house while under influence of heroin Rapist stalked victim after being released on
police bail Pub drinker suddenly goes berserk on dancefloor and unleashes brutal punch Man who praised Hitler set up 'highly racist' podcast, court told You can sign up to our regular Crime and Punishment newsletter here while this interactive tool allows you to check the latest crime statistics for your area: **ORIGINAL ** An argument over a taxi led to a man being knocked unconscious after he was punched to the face by a man who had been hit by his girlfriend. When questioned about the police about the incident, the attacker said: "That's self defence where I come from." Dermot Mitchell, 49, hospitalised his victim Richard Stevens in Abergavenny on October 29, 2021, after the pair became involved in an argument over a taxi outside the bar where Mr Stevens worked. As a result of the assault, the victim suffered a bone fracture and a bleed on the brain. A sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court on Monday heard Mr Stevens and his girlfriend Gemma Brown remained at the bar until closing time at 2am and had booked a taxi. Mitchell and his
Friends had attended the same bar and approached the taxi booked by the couple, but was told by the driver he had a fair. Read more: Get the latest court cases sent to your email inbox with our Crime & Punishment newsletter Prosecutor Nik Strobl said Ms Brown was intoxicated and believed the defendant was trying to take their taxi. He said Ms Brown approached Mitchell in "an aggressive manner" an argument broke out. He opened the taxi door and said "Well you have it then", which caused Ms Brown to hit him to the face several times. Mitchell pushed her away, causing her to stumble, and Mr Stevens approached the defendant and said "Don't touch her" before taking off his coat and stepping forward. Mr Stevens was held back and he and Ms Brown fell to the floor. The victim got to his feet and was held back by a doorman when Mitchell approached and hit him to the left side of his head with his right hand. Mr Stevens fell to the floor and lost consciousness as Mitchell ran away from the scene. The defendant was arrested at his home on October 31, 2021, and said "It's about the fight on Friday outside the bar. I got attacked first, it p****** me off, that's called self defence where I come from". Mitchell, of Nevill Street, Abergavenny, later pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm. The court heard he had 13 previous convictions including wounding. In mitigation, defence barrister Stephen Thomas there was no pre meditation and his client was not the instigator. He accepted there had been a "momentary lapse of control" and the defendant should have walked away. Judge Hywel James sentenced Mitchell to 12 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months. He also ordered him to carry out a 25 day rehabilitation activity requirement of 25 days. READ NEXT: Former rugby protégé who ended up running a drugs line Teenage car thief crashed Mercedes into house while under influence of heroin Rapist stalked victim after being released on police bail Pub drinker suddenly goes berserk on dancefloor and unleashes brutal punch Man who praised Hitler set up 'highly racist' podcast, court told You can sign up to our regular Crime and Punishment newsletter here while this interactive tool allows you to check the latest crime statistics for your area: