Kingston Park thug glassed man with gin glass after being invited to family gathering at flat

A Newcastle thug glassed a man in the face with a gin glass after being invited to a gathering at a flat.

Ryan Boldra, 28, had been out drinking when he bumped into a mutual friend who invited him to a family gathering at a North Kenton home. But later that night, Boldra and the man who'd invited him got into an argument, before Boldra smashed a glass into his face during a brutal attack.

The glassing left the victim covered in blood, along with a lip laceration which required stitches. Boldra also pushed the man over during the attack, resulting in him sustaining a broken wrist.

• Read more: Man accused of being in charge of dog that injured man and killed pug in Elswick

• Keep up to date with all the latest court news from the North East with our free newsletter

This week, Boldra, of Abingdon Court, Kingston Park, Newcastle, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court to be sentenced for assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He had pleaded guilty to the offence on the first day of his trial.

The court heard that on October 9, 2021, Boldra was out drinking in a pub when he struck up a conversation with a mutual friend. Following the friendly conversation, Boldra was invited to a family gathering at a nearby flat by the man. But as the night wore on, Boldra could be heard being "rude" to two women who were also there.

Nicoleta Alistari, prosecuting, said: "[The victim] could hear the defendant speaking loudly and he thought he was being rude. He got up and told the defendant to shut up."

The two then began arguing and "pushing and shoving" before Boldra launched an attack. Ms Alistari continued: "[Boldra] hit him in the face with a gin glass, causing a laceration which required stitches and there was significant bleeding. He felt instantly dizzy."

After glassing him, Boldra - who was described as the "more aggressive of the two" - then punched the man twice in the face before throwing a plate and a vodka bottle at him. Boldra then pushed him into a bench, causing the man to break his wrist.

Others who were at the gathering then called the police. The court heard the victim was "covered in blood" and suffered nightmares and feelings of anxiousness afterwards.

Richard Bloomfield, defending Boldra, who had six previous convictions for seven offences, said there had been a delay in the case coming to court and invited the judge to pass a suspended sentence. He said: "Probation say he can be managed in the community and that a custodial setting would have an impact on him. He's not been in any trouble for nearly nine years."

Sentencing Boldra, Judge Stephen Earl said he had shown remorse and that he could be managed in the community. Boldra was given a six month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to complete 35 rehabilitation days.

Boldra must also carry out 150 hours unpaid work and pay £1,000 compensation. He will also have to pay £1,000 court costs.