AN UNEMPLOYED chef who attacked a man with a broken wine glass has been ordered to attend an alcohol abuse treatment programme.

Benjamin Milner, of Barons Crescent, Copmanthorpe, pleaded guilty to wounding Morien Evans on December 12 last year while on bail for committing affray at a York pub only eight days earlier.

He was sentenced at York Crown Court to 12 months in prison for the wounding charge, with three months concurrent for the affray charge – both to be suspended for two years.

Milner, 31, was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work over the next year and comply with a two-year supervision requirement, to include attending an alcohol treatment programme.

Judge Geoffrey Marson told Milner he was fortunate to escape an immediate jail sentence.

The court heard Milner struck his victim with the stem of a broken wine glass, causing him to fall to the ground, where he rolled over on some broken glass.

The incident happened at his former home, in Penley’s Grove Street, where he and Mr Evans had returned to at about 6am on December 12 last year after being out drinking.

David Garnett, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said Mr Evans sustained two superficial wounds to his chest and back, but did not seek medical assistance.

He said it was not until Mr Evans, who was covered in blood, went into a nearby off-licence with Milner at 9am that the emergency services were called.

The court also heard trouble had broken out on December 4 when Milner and his friends refused to leave the Stone Roses pub, in King Street, at closing time.

He said a staff member received a minor cut to his hand, from a broken bottle Milner was brandishing.

His defence barrister, Glenn Parsons, said Milner was previously hard-working and caring, but his life had been destroyed by excessive consumption of alcohol.

He said Milner had no previous convictions and had excelled in various kitchens and restaurants as a chef, but had lost his job because of his alcohol problem.

Sentencing Milner, Judge Marson said: “I do feel if I give you the opportunity to address your drinking habit there is no reason why you should ever come back before the court again.”