Rishton man jailed for attacking victim with glass bottle

Lee Ashton, 30, of Bridge Street, appeared before Preston Crown Court after being found guilty of wounding with intent. He had pleaded guilty to a separate charge of criminal damage.

The charges relate to an incident on February 16, when the defendant had been out drinking at The Seven Stars pub in Leyland with his partner.

After an altercation with the defendant’s partner, the victim, Jack Hampson, walked to a nearby chicken shop.

Storming into the takeaway, the defendant accused the victim of “giving my girlfriend s***” before swinging an open glass bottle of Stella over Mr Hampson’s head.

Judge Kirsty-Ann Gunn said: “It was a grave act of violence carried out in a public place.

“It has left a permanent scar on his forehead. He now suffers from anxiety and depression, and he feels he cannot go out alone at night.”

As a result of the attack, the victim suffered lacerations to his face and wrist and underwent treatment.

Prosecutor Charlotte Phillips read out a victim personal statement.

It said: “It was completely unprovoked and ripped through my skin and hand, and I had cuts and swelling to my face. The back of my hand took the force of the glass, and I am convinced it saved my eye and eyesight.

“He ran away, leaving me bleeding and in total shock. Due to the severity of the attack, I had no alternative but to seek help.

“I required seven stitches to my hand, and the next day I was only able to attend my brother's wedding for a short period of time, and I spent most of my day recovering from the injury.”

The statement added that he had been left with permanent scarring, which acted as a “constant reminder” of what happened.

Mr Hampson explained that he lost out on work following the attack, with him having to miss days to aid his recovery.

His statement added: “I feel sorry for the family of Lee. I know he has a young son, but you need to be responsible for your actions, and this act of violence has affected every element of my life and the lives of the people I love.”

Anthony Parkinson, mitigating, said the attack was not premeditated.

Mr Parkinson said: “It is our submission that there is a lack of evidence to conclude to the criminal standard that when he left his friend's property that he had already formed an intent that he was going to use that bottle to inflict serious injury.”

Mr Parkinson said the defendant had expressed remorse in a letter to the court written before the jury's verdict.

He added that the defendant had a deprived and difficult upbringing, with his father in prison and his mother a heroin addict, who was unable to care for him.

Judge Gunn said: “The jury were sure that you went looking for a confrontation and you decided to use it in order to cause really serious harm; it does not show impulsive violence but deliberation and decision to inflict very serious injury.

“I do recognise the progress made in custody and the remorse expressed, and they are encouraging and show your capacity to change.”

Ashton was sentenced to 54 months' imprisonment.