A FOOD factory worker deliberately armed himself with a claw hammer before attacking a man in Burtonstone Lane WMC in the run-up to Christmas, York Crown Court heard.

Alan Mitcheson, prosecuting, said Simon Victor Craven had been at the club earlier in the evening before going home briefly.

On CCTV footage taken after his return to the club, Craven exchanged some words with Darren Fearn, walked away, took the hammer from his jacket, turned and attacked Mr Fearn who was sitting at a table. Several other people converged on the pair and separated them.

It was the latest in a series of public order and drink-related offences by the 46-year-old food worker.

Judge Neil Clarke told Craven: “If that weapon had landed on the head, you could have been here on a charge of murder or manslaughter.”

He said Craven had shown that he was capable of hard work and was ordinarily a decent, law-abiding man. But in drink, his behaviour changed.

He gave him a six-month prison sentence suspended for two years on condition he does two years’ supervision and 180 hours’ unpaid work.

Craven, 46, of Crombie Avenue, Clifton, pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Fearn on December 23 and carrying a weapon in public.

Mr Mitcheson said the hammer missed Mr Fearn’s back but hit his hand.

Nicholas Barker, for Craven, said there had been an exchange between the two men outside the WMC before Craven had left. He said CCTV showed Craven leaving at a leisurely pace and Mr Fearn following him more rapidly. Mr Barker alleged Mr Fearn had then attacked Craven and that Craven had been so angry he had gone home to get the hammer. He had also been drinking.

The prosecution did not accept Craven’s account that he had been assaulted first but did not present evidence to the contrary.

Mr Barker said Craven had been a team leader at Del Monte’s Skelton factory until it closed earlier this year and he lost his job. He did, however, have good employment prospects and was in a steady relationship.