Boxer attacked men in town centre

A TRAINED boxer has escaped jail after attacking two men during a night out in Warrington town centre.
Martin Groake, 25, from Poplars Avenue, Orford, attacked Michael Dougherty inside a Bridge Street bar,

before punching Dougherty’s friend, Ian Waugh outside the premises.
Groake received an eight-month prison sentence suspended for two years after pleading guilty at Warrington Crown Court.
He was also ordered to carry out 80 hours unpaid work, placed on electronic curfew for four months and under supervision for 12 months.
Dafydd Roberts, prosecuting, said Groake had punched Mr Dougherty after an argument in the bar, resulting in both men being ejected by door staff.
Once outside, the argument continued with Mr Waugh becoming involved and ultimately being punched by Groake, suffering a dislocated shoulder.
After the incident, Mr Dougherty was treated in hospital for two black eyes, a four centimetre cut to the forehead and abrasions and soreness to the shoulder.
Mr Roberts said Groake had known Mr Dougherty for around 10 years, but their relationship had become confrontational when Mr Dougherty made comments about Groake’s family. Groake had felt particularly aggrieved when Mr Dougherty refused to go his mother’s husband’s stag night.
Laura Barbour, defending, said Groake and his family had been under particular trauma at the time of the incident.
Groake, a trained boxer, had lost about two stone in weight due to the stress of the court proceedings and told police he had affectively been bullied by Mr Dougherty inside the bar.
Judge Roger Dutton told the defendant: “It is quite clear you have a violent streak to your character that does emerge from time to time.”