A drunk who launched a homophobic attack on a man, breaking his
jaw, has been given a suspended sentence at Bristol Crown Court.
Witnesses said Jacob Smith, 21, made homophobic comments before
punching his victim, in an act the judge said “richly deserved”
a prison sentence.  Smith’s sentence was suspended partly due to
his literacy issues and a problem with his hand which means he
cannot perform manual work.  The Bristol Evening Post reports
that Smith had been drinking when he came across the 25-year-old
out with his partner and a friend on a July evening. He uttered
verbal abuse and punched the gay man in the face.  Smith was
given a 12-month sentence for committing grievous bodily harm.
However Judge Michael Harington said it would be suspended for
two years.  He said: “You made some vile, revolting homophobic
remarks which were quite unforgivable. The offence alone clearly
crosses the custody threshold.”  Robert Reid, prosecuting, said
the attacker was later found outside a pub.  Reid added: “He
said, ‘