A MAN attacked a fundraiser attendee after “the red mist” descended upon him, a court heard.

Duane Williams, of Gwenfro in Wrexham, appeared before Mold Crown Court yesterday for sentencing.

The 31-year-old had previously admitted causing actual bodily harm to victim Daniel Bevan at a fundraising event in Llay.

Andrew Green, prosecuting, said the incident happened on October 26 last year during a car meet at the site of the Royal British Legion.

Williams had been part of the event’s organising group and Mr Bevan had attended with others.

The court heard at some point members of Mr Bevan’s group began “making a nuisance of themselves” by revving their engines loudly.

Williams asked Mr Bevan and his friends to leave, which prompted some of the vehicles to speed out of the car park with wheels spinning.

Mr Bevan was in a queue at the junction of the car park waiting to leave when Williams ran over, opened the driver’s door and threw upwards of 20 punches at his face.

The court heard Mr Bevan was stunned throughout the incident, which he said seemed to last about one to two minutes and also involved a second, unidentified male.

One of the blows he received connected with his nose, which was bleeding heavily.

Mr Bevan left the scene and later went to Wrexham Maelor Hospital in a lot of pain and had to take days off work.

Simon Rogers, defending, said: “This is a man of previous good character with a social conscience.

“The whole purpose of that event was to raise money for a young boy who was seriously unwell.

“Sadly things happened. This defendant lost his temper and behaved in a way he deeply regrets.

“He was medically discharged from the Army. Sadly it seems an improvised explosive device exploded causing him serious injury and killing two of his colleagues.

“Since then he has been in employment and is undertaking a university course.”

Judge Niclas Parry told Williams: “This was a sustained assault. You were acting violently in the presence of the public, no doubt some of whom were children.

“What is clear to me is that you have acted entirely out of character.

“The red mist fell upon you on that evening.

“You have served your country - and seen atrocities. You undertake valuable charitable work - none of which justified such violence.

“I accept you’re truly remorseful.”

Judge Parry handed Williams a six month custodial sentence but suspended it for a year.

He added: “The punishment is the loss of your good character.

“Put this behind you and get on with your constructive life.”

Williams was also ordered to pay costs of £585.