A Cowes man has been told he needs to ‘man up and take responsibility’ after being handed a 12-month community order at the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court last Friday (12th April). Liam Matthews, 22, of Spinnaker Close, appeared for sentencing having previously admitted assault by beating and failing to comply with a dispersal order. Prosecutor Lauren Stone told the court that on 13th March 2023, at around 16:15, Matthews – alongside a larger group – entered Mellish’s on High Street in Ryde. A worker in the shop suspected that a member of the group had shoplifted so they attempted to stop them from leaving the store. It was at this point that Matthews reached out to grab an item before then attempting to hit the worker. The member of staff was also hit by a shoe during the ordeal. The incident was caught on CCTV but no shoplifting offences were ever identified. On a separate occasion, on 2nd August 2023, Matthews was part of a group handed a section 35 dispersal order notice during the Cowes Week celebrations after he swore and became difficult towards Police officers when approached. Subsequently, Matthews was handed a notice to vacate the area for some 48 hours, to which he replied ‘I’m getting banned from the town I live in, I can’t even go to the pub’. Later the same day, at around 22:00, Matthews was seen in the town centre again before being located in the Royal British Legion Club in the town. The offence was initially dealt with by way of a conditional discharge in which Matthews was told to attend an alcohol course, however, despite being offered a total of 4 sessions since the offence, the 22-year-old has failed to complete the course. Matthews, who has 6 convictions for 17 offences, had previously denied the assault charge but changed his plea to guilty on the day of trial. Defending, Barry Keel said that his client had admitted that alcohol was an issue during these offences, but that it isn’t a major problem in his life. Magistrates summarised saying that ‘no one should be beaten up on their own property’ and that Matthews needed to ‘man up and take responsibility’. The 22-year-old father was handed a 12-month community order with 28 rehabilitation activity days and 100 hours of unpaid work attached. He was fined £150 and ordered to pay compensation of £200, costs of £310 and a £114 surcharge fee.
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The courts also need to ‘man up’ with their pathetically lenient sentencing.
“Matthews, who has 6 convictions for 17 offences, had previously denied the assault charge but changed his plea to guilty on the day of trial.” Clearly a model father for his children to learn from! I think his child’s mother should seriously consider wheather he is a good example for his and her children to be learning from? Kick him to the kerb.
“located in the Royal British Legion Club in the town.”
Says it all really. Full of racist misogynist bullies who think they can take what they like, thump who they like and say what they like without any consequences.
Oof! Tell it like it is mate!
Ha – guess you opened your mouth in there fred then and got dealt with.
Looking at this guys past history and the punishment given, perhaps it’s the magistrates that need to ’man up’. Or should that be ‘person up’?
Hopefully doesn’t have any care responsibility for his child?. Imagine what he’s like behind closed doors if acts like this in public. Alcohol is not the problem!.
Alcohol just unmasks the true character within.
“22 yr old father” That’s what’s wrong with this fucking country, kids having kids it’s absolutely disgusting. Parents need to educate their spawn before letting them loose. Hopefully he rots away somewhere dark and horrible.
‘The offence was initially dealt with by way of a conditional discharge in which Matthews was told to attend an alcohol course…‘
There’s the problem right there. Should have been a critical thinking course and a violent behaviour course. The alcohol simply releases the person within.
On a better note though, he clearly had a job evidenced by the total cost of the fine. Maybe not now though. How a life can spiral out of control, eh?
Magistrates need to man up and pass some decent, meaningful sentences instead of sweeping these incidents under the carpet, no wonder there is more crime when offenders know they will get nomire than a slap on the wrist.