A former Newcastle United player has been jailed for 20 months after throwing a piece of cheese at a 60-year-old woman. He left her many intricate cracks on her face with a single punch.
Marcus Maddison, 29, started his career as a youth player for Newcastle and played for Charlton, Hull, and Peterborough, among others. He broke the woman's nose after a drunken night in Darlington on September 22 last year.
He was sentenced at Teesside Crown Court this morning. He previously pleaded guilty to causing serious bodily harm without intent at a hearing on June 20.
At a hearing last month, the court heard from prosecutor Robin Turton that on the night of the attack, Madison and a friend left The Gate cocktail bar and went to a kebab shop at 3 a.m. when coming home.
The prosecutor said the footballer exchanged words with the alleged victim's daughter while walking, saying, "Fuck, don't come near me, you son of a bitch." Another shouted, "Wait!" The defendant replied, "You won't catch me.
Mr. Turton said: "During the exchange, [Madison's friend] said to the defendant, 'Marcus, go home, go home, and then on the street. He heard the defendant say: 'You come near me, and I'm trying to throw you these crispy cheeses. He saw the defendant throwing his chips at the victim."
The court heard Madison, who had left Darlington FC by mutual consent less than a month after the incident, fell while throwing his food. Then he stood up and punched the woman in the face. Mr. Turton said his friend heard a "distinctive sound" as the victim fell to the ground.
Recorder Paul Reid said it was a "spontaneous attack, albeit horrific in nature" and that the victim was attacked with "destructive force". The court said an "oversized ring" Madison wore on her right hand was likened to a "brass knuckle".