'I died twice after attack' (Pictures & Video)
THESE CCTV images capture the moments when a former Royal Marine's life was changed forever by a brutal assault.
-
The footage shows Gary Mountford, pictured, being punched to the ground outside an off-licence near his home last Christmas.
The 59-year-old was knocked almost unconscious, spent two weeks in hospital fighting for his life and now takes a bagful of pills a day just to stay alive.
But 21-year-old neighbour Matthew Morris, who already has three cautions for violence on his record, has been jailed for just 15 months for grievous bodily harm following the attack in Norton.
The footage shows Mr Mountford confronting a gang of youths after they take his carrier bag of beer. Morris, of Peascroft Road, Norton, is then seen putting down a beer can before striking Mr Mountford a number of times.
Article continues below
As Mr Mountford lies motionless on the ground, Morris and the yobs walk away.
The attack left Mr Mountford with facial injuries, including a fractured cheekbone and eye socket and a deviated nasal bone.
Now six months later the former commando is virtually blind in one eye and has a badly weakened heart.
Mr Mountford, who also lives in Peascroft Road, said: "I thought the sentence was absolutely pathetic. My heart stopped twice in the operating theatre."
'When they put the handcuffs on I said: I forgive you...'
34 Comments
View all
by jonnyriddle
Friday, August 05 2011, 7:39AM
“this is absolutely disgusting since. big hard man isnt he pickin on old men like that. someone should go find his dad and smash his teeth up see how he likes that.... hes s*** and puts a bad name on young people full stop. since this though i know that he only served 4months on the 15month sentence you really think he will have learnt anythin. if he has any sense he would do us all a favour and go top himself simple as really the world would be a better place if the like of him would dead and buried under the ground..... simples”
by Warren, Meir
Thursday, July 02 2009, 2:05PM
“Steve... Stoke, first things first, whats your problem with Meir, yes, it got the odd riff-raff but so as everywhere, look at Stoke,its got you...lol, and is the shitf kay on your keyboard bust or something. The reason we are bothered about this lowt and his habbit of attacting normal people going around day to day is that the next time it might be one of us. Just how do you know so much about what happened then Steve, or as Jan said what everyone is thinking. Uncle Nobby,thanks for the surport on that one dude, Nobby and Warren, putting Meir on the map, for all the right reasons...lol.”
by Jan, Kidsgrove
Thursday, July 02 2009, 10:41AM
“I just have one question for anonamous-steve. You say that Mr Mountford was the one who confronted Mr Morris and threw the first punch, how do you know that for certain were you one of the cowards in Mr Morris's little clan that stood by and watched this callous act? Best wishes to Mr Mountford hope you get better soon.”
by Matt, Tunstall
Thursday, July 02 2009, 9:45AM
“a nonamous, stoke - you sound like vicky pollard, "he didn't do nothink or somethink"
He provoked, and attacked an old chap, put in hospital, nearly the grave, and has given him a life sentence of pain and no doubt nerves.
As to it being none of my or anyone elses business, of cause it is, when scum like your hero, do all of that and get a poor sentence.
Do you think Morris's life will be as changed as Mr Mountford's when he comes out.
So yes, it is our business.
Go to it Mr Big.”
by Uncle Nobby, Meir
Wednesday, July 01 2009, 8:57PM
“Steve, for the rest of the English lesson; it's capital I, capital M for Meir as it is a noun, Steve is a noun also and follows the same rule. I don't charge for lessons and living in Meir has no bearing on the topic but in future think before you post..”