Drunken rugby lout jailed after knocking gay man’s front teeth out in ‘hostile’ homophobic attack
Lewis Alexander has been jailed for 12 months. (Heddlu Gwent Police)
A Welsh rugby player has been jailed after he drunkenly knocked out a gay man’s front teeth in a homophobic attack at a house party.
Prosecutor Eugene Egan told Newport Crown Court that Lewis Alexander, 23, from Caerphilly, punched Geraint Healy in the face in July, 2020, according to the South Wales Argus.
A group of eight people left a pub at closing time and went to the house in Bedwas to continue the party, but Alexander was asked to leave the gathering because of his drunken behaviour.
The rugby player reacted by using homophobic language towards the gay victim, and “motioned to headbutt Mr Healy but didn’t”, said Egan.
He continued: “He then approached him as he was sat on the sofa and punched him with significant force in the mouth.
“Mr Healy lost two of his front teeth. He will need restorative dental treatment.
“Another man, James Bates, came to help him and Alexander then bit him to his finger.
“There was hostility shown towards Mr Healy because of his sexual orientation. Mr Bates said he was shocked by the unprovoked violence unleashed that evening.”
On July 18, Alexander, who has a previous violent conviction, pleaded guilty to two counts of causing actual bodily harm.
Mitigating, Christopher Rees insisted that Alexander was “remorseful” and said: “When he is sober, he has excellent qualities. He is a very hard-working young man with a very good job. He is an excellent rugby player.”
“There is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and he is committed to change,” Rees added.
But judge Daniel Williams jailed him for 12 months, and told Alexander: “You had indicated you were going to apologise to Mr Healy. But you went up to him and punched him in the face causing him to lose two of his front teeth.
“The hostility you showed towards him because of his sexual orientation is an aggravating feature. Other aggravating features are that you were drunk and you have a previous conviction for violence.”
