A CHEF injured an innocent bystander's foot by hurling a can of beer, after he tried in vain to punch a man and made a threat to a woman to stab her brother — all three victims unknown to him, just waiting for a bus.

The violent incident happened at Ryde Bus Station on the evening of June 5.

Alan Cassford, of Queens Road, Shanklin, with another man, was at the bus station when a group of people, who had just arrived on the Island by ferry, congregated there.

None of the group knew Cassford and his accomplice.

One of the victims, Delta Burdett, heard Cassford, 20, and the other male, randomly make a threat to stab her brother in the neck.

At that point, Michael Zammit stepped in, warning Cassford to keep away from her, said Ann Smout, prosecuting, at the Isle of Wight Crown Court on Monday.

Cassford, who had been drinking, reacted by trying to punch Mr Zammit, but missed him.

However, he then hurled two full cans of beer at him, which also missed, but one of the cans struck the foot of Louise Algar, a care worker, which caused injury and her foot to bleed.

Police subsequently arrested Cassford, who admitted assaulting Miss Algar by beating, using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of, or provoke, violence against Mr Zammit, and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm and distress to Miss Burdett.

Statements from the victims were read to the court.

"Since this incident I've been left feeling very anxious and scared. I have not gone back to Ryde since," Miss Burdett said.

Miss Algar said: "I was shocked by the assault as I had no idea what had been going on, and got caught up in somebody else's problems.

"It worries me it could just as easily have happened to a small child or older member of the public and caused a far more serious injury to them."

Cassford was in court on July 20 for two assaults — one of them on an emergency worker — for which he was handed a four-month jail term, suspended for 18 months.

The latest offences, however, pre-date that order.

For Cassford, Oscar Vincent said his client was fortunate to have walked away from court in July, but has not offended since and has made significant progress in his life.

"At the time of his offending, he was in a very bad place — homeless with alcohol and substance misuse problems," said Mr Vincent.

"But having left court in July, he has adopted a responsible lifestyle. He is addressing his previous misuse and has attained full time employment as a chef — and has since been promoted to head chef."

Cassford was given a year's probation, to include 80 hours' unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay Miss Algar £50 compensation for the injury caused, £85 court costs and a £95 victim surcharge.