A tribute singer and organiser of an Elvis Presley convention at an NEC hotel has admitted attacking the son of one of the legend's backing band.
Michael Cawthray (43) of Epperton Road South, Rhos-on-Sea, north Wales, pleaded guilty at Warwick Crown Court to assaulting Jeffrey Burton causing him actual bodily harm at the Hilton Metropole Hotel on January 9.
The event, at which some 80 Elvis tribute acts were competing, was organised by the Elvis European Championships Ltd, of which Cawthray is a director.
He and 48-year-old Mr Burton, a US citizen who is said to be the son of James Burton, Presley’s guitarist from 1969, were both staying at the hotel.
Mr Burton was taken to hospital with a suspected broken cheekbone and broken nose following the assault in the early hours of the morning.
High Court Judge Mrs Justice Dame Julia Macur told Cawthray that the court will want to consider a sentence which will help address his “insecurities”.
Adjourning for a pre sentence report to be prepared, Mrs Justice Macur told Cawthray: “You are pleading guilty to a nasty assault, with injuries that are certainly not insignificant, although thankfully not as bad as first thought.
“While I give no indication as to sentence, the court will want to consider whether there is any community sentence which can address your insecurities arising from jealousies and ill-temper.”
