A LANCASTER man responsible for a vicious attack has been given a three year sentence - in his absence.

Paul Dawson, 20, of Laburnum Grove, absconded as his trial at Preston Crown Court was coming to an end.

He had denied causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Daniel Sheehan, who had his jaw broken. The court heard that Mr Sheehan had gone to a shop on the corner of Willow Road and West Lane but it was closed.

As he was pondering on where to go, a car approached and the man inside (Dawson) called out to him by his nickname. Mr Simon Burrows, prosecuting, said; "He said he had fallen out with his girlfriend and wanted some valium".

Mr Sheehan did not like the man's attitude and walked off into the nearby Victoria public house. When he left the pub he heard the Dawson's voice again stating; "I shall get you for that, you jumped me."

At that point he felt a blow to his head and fell to the ground while his assailant hit him twice more. Having re-gathered himself he began to make his way home but was again approached by Dawson who this time had another man with him.

"He was attacked by being punched and struck by an object and when he was on the floor he was kicked about the head and chest" said Mr Burrows. Sheehan suffered a fractured jaw which needed the insertion of a metal plate.

On an identification parade, Mr Sheehan picked out the defendant Dawson as the man responsible for the attack. Dawson claimed he was at a relative's home in Oldham at the time of the incident.

Judge Peter Openshaw sentenced him to three years at a young offenders' institution, saying "It was a very serious and unprovoked attack."

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