A family birthday celebration in Handsworth descended into violence when a 46-year-old man attacked his cousin in the street. Florin Viocu punched his relative in the face and kicked him while he lay on the ground on Rookery Road on January 10 this year.
The incident occurred as family members were walking home after consuming alcohol at the party. Birmingham Magistrates' Court heard that Viocu, of Stockwell Road, Birmingham, claimed he assaulted his cousin because the victim was abusive and spitting at people.
Prosecutor Ms Butler stated that the victim had been drinking with friends and family, including the defendant, when words were exchanged. Viocu then punched him in the face, causing him to fall to the floor, and proceeded to kick him in the face. The victim's memory became hazy at that point.
Patrolling police officers noticed a group of men shouting in Rookery Road and intervened. They found the victim heavily intoxicated with an injured eye and unable to communicate coherently. Officers encouraged him to go to hospital, but he refused, so they took him home.
Later, the victim contacted Viocu via social media to ask why he was attacked. The defendant responded with a threatening message, saying he would beat him again and break his legs and hands. This prompted the victim to report the assault to the police.
Viocu was arrested and admitted the assault during his police interview. He pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, June 16. The court heard he has no relevant previous convictions and cannot work due to a heart condition.
His solicitor, Mr Durrani, acknowledged that the custody threshold may have been crossed and requested an adjournment for a pre-sentence report. The case has been adjourned until August 17, and Viocu now faces a possible jail sentence after leaving the victim with a swollen, bruised eye and a grazed nose.
