article_snippet.sent: Speaking for the defence, John Simmons said that Mark Lawson had been battling a drinking problem and even visited Alcohol Anonymous for a short while to steer clear of the booze.
article_snippet.sent: John Simmons said Lawson, who lives in Thatcham in Berkshire, had been clean for six months and John Simmons decision to drink was a 'one-off' that John Simmons deeply regretted. '
article_snippet.sent: The court heard Mark Lawson was an exemplary employee who worked six days a week at a construction site at Newbury Racecourse. '
article_snippet.sent: Mark Lawson comes across as an extremely affable, very likeable man,' said John Simmons. '
article_snippet.sent: Mark Lawson is clearly a very hard working man and cannot believe how much trouble Mark Lawson has got Mark Lawson into.
article_snippet.sent: Mark Lawson realises Mark Lawson is someone who just cannot drink.'
article_snippet.sent: Recorder Patrick Hamlin accused Mark Lawson of putting Mark Lawson steady job and working life in jeopardy by drinking too much and carrying out the 'bizarre' attack. '
article_snippet.sent: Recorder Patrick Hamlin told Reading Crown Court (pictured) that Mark Lawson put Mark Lawson job in jeopardy when Recorder Patrick Hamlindrank too much' at a Christmas function in December last year .