Man 'out of his mind' when he headbutted ex's new partner as he walked his dog

Edson Da Silva began arguing with the victim and said: “You’ve f***ed up my life” before headbutting him in the face without warning.
An ambulance was called and the defendant walked off while laughing sarcastically.

Da Silva, 33, of Furzehill, pleaded guilty to assaulting Shakil Hassan by beating him in Mitchell Gardens, Chard, on November 5 when he appeared before Somerset Magistrate’s Court in Yeovil.

Julyan Stephens, prosecuting, said Mr Hassan was walking his dog in Mitchell Gardens when he was approached by the defendant. “He became concerned about Da Silva’s behaviour which seemed odd and when he asked if he was ok, he realised it was his girlfriend’s ex partner,” he said. “A verbal exchange occurred between them and the defendant then said that Mr Hassan had f***ed up his life.

“He then walked up to the victim without any provocation and headbutted him across the nose causing soft tissue damage, bleeding and swelling and an ambulance then arrived.

“There was a further altercation and when the defendant left he was laughing sarcastically and the victim said he didn’t know if he was going to attack him again.”

When interviewed Da Silva said: “I was out of my mind”.
He said he was angry as he had heard how the victim had been treating his ex-partner.

He said he knew he had done wrong and didn’t know what he was going to do now. Probation officer Cheryl Steer said the defendant was unsure of Mr Hassan’s intent and thought he was about to be attacked himself so attacked him first by headbutting him.

“The defendant’s ex-partner is in a relationship with the victim and he is extremely regretful and ashamed of his behaviour,” she said. “He wishes now that he had just walked away from the situation.”

Da Silva was sentenced to a 12-month community order and must pay £250 compensation, £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.