A CARE home worker hospitalised a man for a month following an assault in Kendal after an argument over loaned PlayStation 4 games, a court heard.

Soloman Petch, 26, left his victim requiring surgery and needing to learn how to walk unaided again, South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court heard.

Prosecuting the case Peter Kelly said the assault occurred on Finkle Street, Kendal on February 12 2022.

The court was told the defendant and the complainant were known to each other.

CCTV footage of the assault played in court showed the defendant running towards the victim and pushing him to the floor from behind after he had left Subway in Kendal.

Mr Kelly said: “The push caused the male to fall onto his right hip. The defendant then told the complainant ‘If I see you again, I will smack you’.

“The complainant tried to get up to his feet, but things were more difficult than what would have been anticipated.

“The male was taken to Lancaster Royal Infirmary where he was found to have sustained a fracture to his right hip. He underwent surgery as a result of the injury four days later.”

The court was told the male had previously had a femoral nail inserted into his thigh bone as a result of another injury which could possibly have caused him to sustain the fractured hip more easily.

In his victim impact statement, the male said the assault had left him hospitalised for one month and that he had to go through physiotherapy to learn how to walk again.

He said he had been forced to use a Zimmer frame and a mobility scooter.

The court heard the man was now able to walk unaided but that the assault had had an impact on his normal day-to-day routine in terms of being unable to ride his bike and go to any climbing walls.

In mitigation, defence solicitor Trystan Roberts said his client was ‘utterly devastated’ to learn of the impact the victim had suffered.

Mr Roberts said: “He did not mean to cause that level of injury. He is a man of previous good character and has never troubled the courts before.

“Unfortunately, because of the complainant’s injury we are here and he has to face the consequences for this.

“The incident occurred because the complainant had leant him a number of PS4 games which had not been returned.

"One of the games had been leant to him by his brother which he had to save up for and had a particular sentimental value. He was aggrieved by the loss of those games.

“He has not punched, kicked or stamped on the victim afterwards. Had this complainant not had his pre-existing injury, we might not be here today.

“He is currently working in a care home. This offence is likely to have an impact on his employment, but he is hopeful he will be able to retain his job.”

Magistrates sentenced Petch, of Brockbeck, Kendal, to a 12-month community order after he pleaded guilty to a section 20 wound/inflict grievous bodily harm without intent offence.

As part of the sentence, they ordered the defendant to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £500 compensation, as well as court costs of £85 and a surcharge of £114.