Ventnor man fined for urinating in hotel alleyway and attacking the owner

A Ventnor man who punched a hotel owner escaped with a fine and a community order after appearing before the Isle of Wight Crown court this week. 31-year-old Patrick Rice, of Pier Street, Ventnor, was found guilty of assault after he was caught urinating in an alleyway at St Augustine Villa in Ventnor. Hotel owner, Mr Williamson, 65 came out, when he heard a noise coming from the alleyway and confronted Rice this resulted in a fight. The court heard that Rice was already subject to a suspended sentence for a matter of affray. Rice, claimed during the trial self-defence after punching the hotelier but was found guilty and convicted following a trial. He made the further claims that public toilets nearby where closed and needed to go to the toilet. Recorder Marcus Pilgerstorfer sitting at the Crown court sentenced Rice to Curfew for three months and community order for 12 months. Rice was also ordered to pay a £400 fine for breaching the affray matter with costs of £425 within 28 days.