Prison for thug who ruined victim's sight
A MAN with a serious alcohol problem attacked a 59-year-old outside an off-licence, permanently damaging his sight.
Matthew Morris, aged 21, of Peascroft Road, Norton, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm on Gary Mountford, on December 22 last year.
He was yesterday sentenced to 15 months in prison at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.
The court heard he was with a group of friends outside the shop in Norton at 7pm when the victim walked out with a bag of alcohol.
The gang called him names and goaded him. Mr Mountford then set down his bag of shopping while he lit a cigarette, and one of the group grabbed it.
David Bennett, prosecuting, said the violent attack left life-long damage. He said: "There were two slaps and a punch. Mr Mountford fell to the floor and lost consciousness. He had a fractured cheekbone, a fractured eye socket and a deviated nasal bone.
"As a result he required surgery, but because of his heart problems there were complications. During the operation his heart stopped and he had to be resuscitated. He cannot have any more surgery and may lose his sight in his left eye."
Morris has three previous cautions from police for violent behaviour. When he was originally questioned he suggested he was acting in self-defence, but once he saw the CCTV footage he confessed.
The footage showed Morris being held back by one of his friends in the middle of the attack, but he still managed to punch Mr Mountford with one final blow which caused the damage.
The group then walked away as he lay unconscious.
Nicola Bell, defending, said: "Mr Morris knows he is responsible for the injuries caused to Mr Mountford.
"Mr Morris was with friends who were all in drink. It is the measure of him that he readily accepts he was a complete and utter idiot.
"He is a young man who presents himself as genuinely ashamed of what he did. He clearly has difficulty dealing with his emotions.
"It is disturbing to see such a young man with such a very real problem with alcohol, needing treatment."
Speaking directly to Morris, Judge Robert Trevor-Jone said: "Mr Mountford had simply popped to the off licence and within moments he was lying unconscious on the pavement.
"He has suffered really severe injuries as a result and has deteriorating eyesight. These are life-changing injuries.
"I bear in mind you are only 21. However you do have a violent disposition, shown by your three cautions."
10 Comments
by Nick, Newcastle
Tuesday, June 30 2009, 2:59PM
“Maybe now that we are a multi culture society, we use this and have these people flogged.”
by Lord Denning, Staffordshire
Monday, June 29 2009, 11:47PM
“Why do you people continually blame the judges for sentencing? The Sentencing Guidelines are created by the Government i.e. Labour, who, quite clearly were voted in by the vast majority. The Judge, and in particular Robert Trevor-Jones, does not 'make it up' as he sees fit. He has to assess criteria such as the dangerousness provisions, age of defendant, antecedents, mitigation, risk of future harm to the public etc. These are all set by the Sentencing Guidelines Council. If you go to the Judicial Studies Board website, you can read for yourselves the sentencing restrictions placed on the Judiciary. The Seperation of Powers exists so no one body has complete power or autonomy. The Judiciary merely interpret and follow the law - they don't make it. It is very frustrating for them as well.”
by sandy, Staffordshire
Monday, June 29 2009, 7:03AM
“What te hell is wrong with these Judges 15months is nothing, My grandson and his girlfriend were attacked by 2 men and a 17 yearold and one of them got 9months.. It is down to money there wouldn't be enought for MP's to share out between them selves if we had the keep these thug in jail longer..”
by Warren, Meir
Sunday, June 28 2009, 12:27PM
“What a hard man he must be, attacking a person that much older then him. Whats all this 'in drink' nonsence, is it not PC now to say they were all as drunk as sunks. Well I'll say it, drunken fool need the same thing doing to him. Whats he got, 15 month, Jesus, he just might be out for chistmas and do it all over again. It's the same old story all the time, 'Oh, he/she is very sorry for what they have done and swears on there life they will never do it again.' Yep! untill the next time they get out of there tiny little minds, or need the cash to do so.”
by john, knypersley
Sunday, June 28 2009, 11:36AM
“The laws an ass, so says Charles Dickens. So a 21 year old thug , backed up by his mates attacks a 59 year old man. Somehow I don't think he"ll be up for the bravery of the year award.
15 months inside ( out in 8 ). Well Charles Dickens - you never said a truer word.”
by alex, westlands
Saturday, June 27 2009, 11:08PM
“no point in the judge passing a longer sentence as it wil only look bad on the judge on appeal when it gets reduced n then the judge gets a bad record, even this 15months wil prob get reduced on appeal law sucks”
by Michael, Newcastle
Saturday, June 27 2009, 3:47PM
“Another coward gets of with a slap on the wrist again. WNewhen are you lawyers going to do the right thing stand up for the law instead of protecting guiltly thugs and criminals! Do you realise what type of society you are creating or dont you care, oh i forgot its about the money is'nt it.
As far as the judge is concerned have some guts and start dishing out a proper and just punishment,m have some pride in what you represent and bring on proper justice !”
by alex, westlands
Saturday, June 27 2009, 10:47AM
“15 months lol wow, those who who pick to kick off n others for no reason on busses or at shops should be jailed for3years starting point, no coming out early for gd behaviour u should do the full whack, if they dont behave then they should complete the rest in solitary confinement”
by Kerry, Meir
Saturday, June 27 2009, 10:33AM
“15 months? what a joke - again the legal system has let the victim down.
This thug attacked an innocent man causing terrible injuries and blames it on a serious alcohol problem. Seems that he was showing off to his mates that he was such a hard man ..... after a drink!!!
What goes around comes around”
by Baldy, ex cop
Saturday, June 27 2009, 9:24AM
“Another decent persons life ruinned by a piece of scum.
give him good behavior he will be out in 8 months, less if he has been on remand.
Thats when it really gets hurtfull.The old gent will have to wait years for a pittance of compensation off the criminal injuries and a lifetime of the fear and sight problems.
This waste will have all sorts of do gooders chucking thousands at him.
hopefully he will get a motor bike and go the way of that other piece of scum
This gent will”