He had been staying at the man’s house
A thug broke another man’s jaw after overhearing the victim talking about his girlfriend. Jason Arro had been allowed to stay at the man’s home.
But after “taking exception” to what the man said, 34-year-old Arro turned nasty, branding his victim an “idiot” before lashing out. A court heard that the victim realised he had a serious problem with his jaw when trying to eat.
He ended up needing surgery, Hull Live reports. Appearing at Hull Crown Court, Arro, 34, of Saltash Road, west Hull, but recently in custody on remand, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm on the man on March 26 last year.
Samantha Laws, prosecuting, said Arro had been staying at the home of another man. The other person had done so as a favour to Arro in a bid to help him.
The man started talking about Arro’s girlfriend with another man and Arro overheard what was being said and took exception to it. Arro leaned over and repeatedly punched the man in the face with both hands. Arro told the victim: “I f****** hate you. You’re an idiot.”
He threw £20 cash at the man and left. The victim at first did not seek medical help but, later, when he tried to eat, he realised that his jaw was causing him significant pain. He was taken to hospital.
It was confirmed that he had fractures to either side of his jaw. Surgery was needed on March 28 last year to insert metal plates and screws. He was discharged from hospital the next day.
Arro was arrested and he told police that he did not assault the victim but suspected that he could have hurt himself while having a fit. The victim later said that the incident had left him feeling scared.
Arro had convictions for 53 previous offences, mainly for theft-related matters. He had been jailed for 26 weeks on November 13, 2023.
Ben Hammersley, mitigating, said that Arro had been in custody for about nine months since April 16 last year – the equivalent, with early release, of a prison sentence of 17-and-a-half months. “He expresses remorse for his actions,” said Mr Hammersley.
“There is a dispute over what started this incident but he accepts causing the injuries. He knows that his actions were unjustifiable and he apologises to the complainant for the harm caused.
“He has made some good progress while in custody and he is getting himself together. Being drink- and drug-free is really what’s going to keep him out of trouble. He has been having treatment and is an enhanced prisoner.”
Judge John Thackray KC told Arro: “It was a very unpleasant attack upon someone who was allowing you to stay at their home. You breached that trust, attacking someone in their own home.
“There were repeated blows by you. You caused a very serious injury – a fractured jaw and a broken tooth. He was in a lot of pain. You were on licence. It was in your victim’s home.”
Arro was jailed for 15 months but, because of his time in custody on remand, he was due to be released that day. “You have already served it,” said Judge Thackray. Arro was given a three-year restraining order.