A Romanian car wash worker who hit a man with a pole in a Luton park was jailed for 25 months on Monday, August 24.
Claudiu Varga, 33, attacked the victim for no reason as he sat with a friend on a bench in Brantwood Park.
Prosecutor Andrew Copeland told Luton Crown Court it was just after 11pm on May 5, 2018, when the two men were sitting in the park drinking a can of beer.
Varga struck the victim on the head and, as he went to defend himself, struck his hands. He suffered bruising and reddening to his head, a broken right ring finger and bruising and swelling to his hand.
The pole had snapped in two and Varga, who had been drinking, walked off towards Luton town centre.
He was followed and the police were given a ‘running commentary’ as to his location. They arrested him as he appeared from an alleyway near Manchester Street, holding the broken broom handle.
Mr Copeland said he had made as if he was going to hit one of the officers, but was taken to the ground. When questioned Varga said he had been drinking beer and brandy.
Varga of Windermere Crescent, Luton pleaded guilty to wounding and possessing an offensive weapon.
It was his third conviction for having an offensive weapon. Defending, Edward Ellis said Varga had lived in the UK for 11 years.
He said he had mental health issues and an issue with drink.
Judge Michael Simon told him: “The victim and his friend were simply sitting on a bench having a late night drink when our attacked him with the pole, causing him injury to his head and hands.“
The judge said the broken pole should be forfeit and destroyed.
