There’s a Rabbit Away Here! Sunderland dad stuck up for himself in The Rabbit and attacked two other men who insulted his partner

A Sunderland dad has been fined and ordered to pay compensation after assaulting two men in a city centre bar, reportedly over comments made about his partner.

Craig Whitfield, 40, lashed out at two strangers in The Rabbit bar on October 25 after hearing remarks suggesting his partner “could do better” than him. South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard how he shoved one man to the floor and threw a bottle or glass at another, striking him near the eye.

The court was told Whitfield, a joiner from May Street in Bishopwearmouth, had no prior convictions and claimed to have no memory of the incident — but accepted responsibility after viewing CCTV footage.

One victim described being left uneasy about returning to pubs after the attack, while the second suffered a facial injury. Whitfield pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by beating.

His solicitor described the attack as “entirely out of character” for a man who rarely drinks or socialises. “He’s horrified that he’s caused an injury,” she said, adding that the comments directed at his partner caused him to lose his temper.

Magistrates fined Whitfield £933 and ordered him to pay £200 in compensation to the victim struck by the object, along with a £373 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs.