A HEALTH worker left with a fractured eye pleaded with a judge to not send his attacker to jail.

John Akinpelu, agency worker at Southampton General Hospital, was the victim of a “sustained” attack by Gareth May in the early hours of July 9 when he was mistaken for a hotel employee.

May, who was high on cocaine at the time, was ordered to stop smoking inside his room at the Addenro House Hotel, on Howard Grove, by a member of staff.

After the employee left, May, a self-employed plumber, left his room and punched Mr Akinpelu numerous times as he believed he was the person who had told him off.

Appearing in person, Mr Akinpelu told Southampton Crown Court: “I do not know what happened. I would like to plea for him to not go to prison.

“If you sentence him for a long time it does no good. If he went to prison it would be bad for him.”

He added: “The effects of this are so huge - I cannot go out on my own even until now.

“I am paranoid and nearly lost my home because I could not afford my home. If it wasn’t for my Christian values I may have lost more.”

Matthew Lawson, prosecuting, told the court that the incident was “a case of mistaken identity due to the drugs May consumed”.

He said: “A staff member tried to speak to the defendant after the attack and he was walking up and down the room...showing signs of paranoia claiming that the police were after him.”

Mr Lawson added: “The defendant mistook the victim for the member of staff and at around 11.15am, left his room and went to the victim’s room.

“He entered the room and assaulted Mr Akinpelu repeatedly around his head.”

The court heard that Mr Akinpelu was found to have a fracture around his eye, severe headaches, bleeding from the nose and bruising tenderness.

His injuries were so bad he was forced to stop attending work, costing him thousands.

May, 34, was also found with £125 worth of cocaine and approximately 35g of cannabis on him when he and his room were searched.

The court heard that he was looking to sell the drugs to traders in the city to make some money.

Keeley Harvey, mitigating, told the court that if May went to prison he would be unable to support his family, including a new baby which is expected within days.

Sentencing, Judge Gary Burrell QC said: “You are lucky that Mr Akinpelu forgives you. The fact he has said that and is so concerned about you, it is pretty significant for him to say considering what you did to him.”

May pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm and possession of cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply.

He was sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for two years.

May was ordered to pay £10,000 compensation. He must also complete150 hours of unpaid work.