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Booze, temper troubling mix for Sudbury man

By Keith Lacey A man with a history of violence who lashed out in a drunken fit of jealousy by smashing a beer bottle over a stranger?s head during a New Year?s Eve bash two years ago was sentenced to one year in jail Wednesday.
By Keith Lacey

A man with a history of violence who lashed out in a drunken fit of jealousy by smashing a beer bottle over a stranger?s head during a New Year?s Eve bash two years ago was sentenced to one year in jail Wednesday.

Jessy Ritch, 27, pleaded guilty in April to assault causing bodily harm.

Justice William Fitzgerald told Ritch he had no choice but to send him to jail.

?This was?a criminal, violent act,? said Fitzgerald. ?You are a violent man and the alcohol just allows it to come out of you.?

However, because Ritch has acknowledged he has a problem with alcohol and substance abuse, as well as controlling his temper, Fitzgerald recommended Ritch serve his sentence at the Northern Treatment Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, where he can access professional counselling.

Court heard Ritch had consumed more than 40 ounces of alcohol when he smashed beer bottle over a stranger?s head because he was dancing with Ritch?s former girlfriend during a millennium New Year?s Eve party.

The victim actually extended his hand to shake Ritch?s hand, when Ritch snapped and smashed him over the head with the beer bottle.

The young male victim received 10 stitches over one eye lid and 12 stitches for another cut to his head.

Ritch told Fitzgerald he?s been in and out of jail for much of the past decade because he?s unable to control his temper while abusing alcohol and soft drugs.

Ritch, who received a long jail sentence in 1994 for an aggravated assault, said he?s ?known for a long time? that he needs alcohol and anger management counselling, but never received any help during previous stints of incarceration.

?It was my own mistake and I need help,? he said.

He apologized to his victim and said there was no excuse for his actions.