Man Who Knocked Royal Marine Unconscious Jailed

Cover picture: Carlisle Crown Court (courtesy of Rose and Trev Clough)

A man attempted to bribe a Royal Marine who he knocked unconscious, a court has heard.

Dean Mallinson, 26, launched an unprovoked attack on Royal Marine Jonathan Whittaker in House of Vodka, Carlisle, in December last year.

After knocking Whittaker unconscious, Mallinson offered him £2,000 to keep quiet, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

Mallinson admitted to the charges of grievous bodily harm, and perverting the course of justice, and was handed a two-year jail sentence.

At the time of the attack, the 24-year old victim had recently passed out of the Marines and was awaiting details of his posting.

The attack caused him to suffer a broken ankle, and as a result, his “dream career was derailed”, the court heard.

Mr Whittaker had been given two years to become “combat fit” by the Royal Marines but wasn’t sure he would be well enough by that time.