Hyndburn brutal thug sentenced to four years in prison (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Hyndburn brutal thug sentenced to four years in prison

6:00pm Wednesday 19th September 2012 in News By Wendy Barlow, Court reporter

AN attacker who launched a brutal and vicious assault on a man outside a Great Harwood pub and smashed his face in has been jailed for four years.

Michael Wilcock, 23, inflicted an extensive fracture to Shaun Birtwistle's cheek and sinus area in the sustained early hours onslaught, Burnley Crown Court heard. The victim also suffered other injuries, but discharged himself from hospital after 48 hours.

Wilcock, who later told a police nurse he had been drinking and taking cocaine, had repeatedly kicked Mr Birtwistle to the head until he was unconscious, pulled him up, punched him in the head and then landed two more kicks as the police turned up. Another man was also said to have joined in the beating.

The defendant, of Ansdell Road, Blackburn, admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent, last October.

Abigail Hudson, proseuting, said about 2.30am, a passer-by told police about an incident outside the Lomax Arms, in Blackburn Road. An off-duty police officer also came across the attack.

Victim Mr Birtwistle described himself as drunk, but not paralytic. He had argued with a group of people in the pub and when he went to leave the defendant's group was still outside.

Wilcock began to row with the victim, took a swing at him, struck him in the cheek and a scuffle followed. The defendant pulled Mr Birtwistle down to the ground, repeatedly punched him to the head, put him in a headlock and hit him from underneath.

Miss Hudson said the victim was on the ground and Wilcock started repeatedly kicking him to the side of the head.

The off-duty officer shouted that police had arrived and the defendant kicked Mr Birtwistle twice more before officers got to them. The defendant con- tinued to lash out, tried to run away and was arrested.

Martin Hackett, for Wilcock, said: “He’s acted out of character, in my submission, as regards offences of violence.” Wilcock apologised to the victim.

Judge Beverley Lunt told Wilcock: “The most sensible thing you did in this case was plead guilty.

“You acted like a man and you stood up and you admitted what you had done. It's astonishing to me that the injuries the victim suffered were not worse.”