Jail for Rossendale lout in drunken savage attack on airman (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Jail for Rossendale lout in drunken savage attack on airman

5:00pm Thursday 10th January 2013 in News By Wendy Barlow, Court reporter

A DRUNKEN lout who launched a savage attack on an airman training for service in Afghanistan has been jailed for a total of four years.

Andrew Williams, 19, targeted Edward Grant as he was waiting for a taxi home after a night out with friends in Rawtenstall in the early hours of last May 12.

Williams was caught on CCTV throwing a full-blooded punch, which hit the victim in the jaw.

Mr Grant was dazed, but was then struck a second, forceful blow.

The victim had to go to hospital.

He suffered a broken jaw and fractured upper cheek-bone, and had to have surgery to insert a plate in his face.

Mr Grant was caused anxiety, was not able to work for more than three months, and could not go with his RAF regiment to Afghanistan, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Williams, who was arrested after being picked out on Facebook by a witness, was said to have struck during a ‘drunken, self-destructive blitz’ over an eight-week period.

He was back breaking the law again a week later.

He stole a car and clocked 70mph on the 30mph Booth Road, in Stacksteads.

As he overtook a line of cars, he hit a hump in the road, took off as all four wheels left the road, lost control, and almost hit a pedestrian who had to leap out of the way, and crashed into parked cars.

The vehicle was later found abandoned on a farm, and his fingerprints were found on the rear view mirror.

The hearing was told Williams finished his crime spree by burgling a house on July 4, after being arrested and released again.

He, and accomplice Carl Freeman, 34, walked into a property in Rawtenstall while the occupants were away on holiday.

Three young men there told them to get out, but Freeman said: “Get the blade. I will stab you,” swung a guitar and hit someone.

The defendants stole a PS3 games console and games.

Police attended and Freeman was located and arrested. He was very drunk.

Officers went to Williams’ home and he was arrested there.

Williams, who has a record starting in 2008, was a ‘three strike’ burglar, facing a minimum three years in jail, minus ‘credit’ for his guilty plea.

Williams, of Crabtree Avenue, Waterfoot, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm, aggravated vehicle taking, failing to stop, having no licence and no insurance, and burglary.

He was banned from driving for four years, and must take an extended driving test.

Freeman, of Queen Street, Stacksteads, pleaded guilty to burglary, and was sent to prison for 14 months.