Man sentenced for sauna attack

A GYM user who battered a man in an Ipswich sauna is today facing 120 hours of unpaid work in the community.

Raymond Tester, of Daundy Close, Ipswich attacked Andrew Jump in the sauna at the Holiday Inn, London Road on September 3 this year.

The 42-year-old had appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court on October 25 when he admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

In that hearing the court heard Tester believed medication he was taking for diabetes had caused mood swings which may have led to the attack.

But Ian Duckworth, mitigating on his behalf at this week's sentencing hearing, said there was no reason for the assault.

He said: “It is a bizarre case as to why the incident occurred.

“He is not trying to blame what might be an imbalance in his system as to the reason for it happening and he is genuinely remorseful.”

David Taylor, prosecuting, said the attack had happened when Mr Jump had pushed past Tester, who was blocking his route, in the changing rooms of the gym.

Mr Jump said he had made a comment to Tester about using his intelligence and Tester then followed him into the sauna where the attack took place.

Mr Taylor added: “Mr Taylor states that he was punched approximately 15 times but when Mr Tester was interviewed he said it was about three or four times.

“He has no previous convictions.”

Magistrates in Ipswich sentenced Tester to 12 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months.

He was ordered to pay £500 compensation and £42 in costs and to carry out 120 hours unpaid work.

Peter McGrath, chairman of the bench, said: “This was an unprovoked attack in a public place on a stranger resulting in extensive injuries.”

Have you been a victim of an unprovoked attack? Write to: Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail: eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

Weblinks: www.suffolk.police.uk; www.eveningstar.co.uk/news