A former security guard punched a stranger to the floor after trying to chat up his girlfriend in a Wetherspoons pub before attacking a second man just days later, a court has heard.
Danny Williams unleashed the cowardly assault on Philip Hackett in a street in Dover last August, after Mr Hackett’s partner snubbed his advances in The Eight Bells.
Williams, 59, was on a drinking binge when he approached the woman, whom he claimed to recognise, once Mr Hackett visited the toilet.
But when Mr Hackett returned, Williams pushed past him and threatened him, telling him: ‘[You] won’t see tomorrow.’
Following the incident, the couple decided to leave the pub and headed instead to the nearby Dizzy Donkey instead.
However, Williams pursued them and crept up behind Mr Hackett – before delivering the unsuspecting blow to the face and knocking him to the concrete floor.
Video footage shows the walking together down a Dover street before a third figure comes into view behind them.
Williams catches up to the couple before punching Mr Hackett from behind, causing him to fall to the floor.
Danny Williams unleashed the cowardly assault on Philip Hackett in a street in Dover last August, after Mr Hackett’s partner snubbed his advances in The Eight Bells
Danny Williams, 59, was on a drinking binge when he approached the woman, whom he claimed to recognise, once Mr Hackett visited the toilet
Fortunately he is seen quickly getting up and moving away from his attacker after the incident, despite appearing to hit his head on a bollard.
Just three days later, on August 24, Williams was drinking in the Dizzy Donkey when he again attacked a stranger.
He tried to punch bar manager Ben Pillott – but missed and fell over.
Williams, from Dover, was later charged with common assault and assault by beating.
He pleaded guilty to both offences when he appeared at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on April 2.
Williams escaped jail time and was instead handed a community order and ordered to pay compensation.
Neil Sweeney, prosecuting, said: ‘The first assault was on Mr Hackett who was out with his partner for a drink in The Eight Bells pub.
‘He went to the toilet and left her at the table. Mr Williams approaches her and starts talking to her and when Mr Hackett comes back he tells him to leave.
‘[Williams] then barged past him, but apologises. But then there is some interaction and he [Williams] says ‘you won’t see tomorrow’.
‘He follows them to the Dizzy Donkey and he appears behind them and punches Mr Hackett in the right cheek.
‘It was caught on CCTV and he was actually identified by the victim in the August 24 incident, as he is the bar manager at the Dizzy Donkey where Williams was drinking on August 24.
‘Williams tries to punch him [on that night], but Mr Pillott sees it coming and he moves and Williams misses the punch and falls on the stairs.’
Footage of both incidents was shown to the court – in addition to a picture of Mr Hackett’s injury.
Mr Sweeney added: ‘Mr Hackett suffered bruising to his face.’
Williams escaped jail time and was instead handed a community order and ordered to pay compensation – as well as receive alcohol support
The punch from Williams saw Mr Hacket tumble to the floor of the street in Dover
The incident occurred after Williams attempted to chat up Mr Hackett’s girlfriend
In his victim impact statement, Mr Hackett said that if the punch had landed slightly higher on his temple, it may have proved fatal.
He also stressed he and his partner were in the area to avoid trouble – and said the attack had ruined their night out.
Mr Pillott’s victim impact statement stated that Williams was known to be violent and had been banned from other establishments.
He also said he should not have to deal with violent incidents and feared Williams would attend his bar again.
The prosecutor added: ‘[Williams] has previous convictions for violence and has a history of it on his record.
‘It was a chance meeting with Mr Hackett and I am requesting a restraining order for the manager at the Dizzy Donkey.’
Debbie Pizzey, defending, said that her client had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, accepted he caused injury and was intoxicated at the time.
She said: ‘He has no recollection of the incident at the Dizzy Donkey (on August 24).
‘He’s used alcohol on and off since his early 20s. He commits offences and then there are gaps (in his offending), but he tends to drink when things get difficult.
‘He’s done various jobs and was a security officer at (Dover) port and had a daughter in 2021.
‘He’s now separated (from his daughter’s mother) and gets emotional as he’s unable to see his daughter.
‘He also has another four sons and has difficult relations with them because of his behaviour.
‘But he sees his mum and he was recently assaulted and walks with a limp as he has a knee injury.
‘He has had an MRI and is awaiting surgery on the knee.’
The court heard how, despite previously being on community orders with unpaid work requirements, Williams had never had any intervention from probation to help him quit drinking.
Ms Pizzey added: ‘He’s now been barred from most establishments since these incidents and it’s been seven months now and he’s not returned.’
Magistrates placed Williams on a 12 month community order so that probation could help him address his alcohol issues.
The order will see him complete 10 rehabilitation sessions – as well as sessions to address mental health decision making.
He was also ordered to pay £70 compensation to Mr Hackett and £50 to Mr Pillott, alongside a victim surcharge of £114 and £85 court costs.
Magistrates did not make a restraining order for Williams to stay away from Mr Pillott – as they deemed it unnecessary.
