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A Pembroke man who carried out a violent assault which left his victim scarred for life and suffering panic attacks, has been jailed for almost four years.
Christian Hughes glassed, punched and kicked victim Robert Saunders until his eyelid became completely detached. He needed operations to repair ruined eye ducts and will suffer a weeping left eye for life.
Hughes, aged 32, of Wiston Street, admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent. He was jailed for three years and four months and an additional six months for breaching a suspended sentence.
Swansea crown court heard how both men had been in the Castle pub in Pembroke on October 9th last year when there was an altercation between Mr Saunders’ wife and another customer.
Later, Hughes went to the toilets and found Mr Saunders and the customer arguing. Hughes took the other man’s side and threatened Mr Saunders.
As they walked out Hughes, a scaffolder, pushed a beer glass into Mr Saunders’ face. Then he punched and kicked him before quickly leaving.
But the attack had been caught on CCTV and the footage was played to judge Christopher Vosper.
In a victim impact statement, Mr Saunders told how the assault had changed his life.
He said he woke up in Singleton Hospital, Swansea, not knowing where he was or what had happened. He suffered serious facial injuries and will be scarred for life.
“I was absolutely devastated and as time has gone by it has got worse,” said Mr Saunders.
“I have panic attacks and I don’t go out because I don’t want people to see me.”
Mr Saunders has not worked since the assault, despite having a well paid job.
“I feel a changed person,” he added.
The court heard that Hughes had previous convictions for violence and a probation officer had assessed the chances of him re-offending as “medium to high”.
Hughes’ barrister, Dyfed Thomas, described the attack as “a classic case of a major loss of temper.”
Judge Vosper said Hughes had maintained a not guilty plea at first on the basis that he had not realised he had been holding a glass.
However, that claim disappeared, added the judge, after Mr Saunders had told how he had felt the glass being twisted into his face after the initial impact.
Source: Western Telegraph
Christian Hughes glassed, punched and kicked victim Robert Saunders until his eyelid became completely detached. He needed operations to repair ruined eye ducts and will suffer a weeping left eye for life.
Hughes, aged 32, of Wiston Street, admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent. He was jailed for three years and four months and an additional six months for breaching a suspended sentence.
Swansea crown court heard how both men had been in the Castle pub in Pembroke on October 9th last year when there was an altercation between Mr Saunders’ wife and another customer.
Later, Hughes went to the toilets and found Mr Saunders and the customer arguing. Hughes took the other man’s side and threatened Mr Saunders.
As they walked out Hughes, a scaffolder, pushed a beer glass into Mr Saunders’ face. Then he punched and kicked him before quickly leaving.
But the attack had been caught on CCTV and the footage was played to judge Christopher Vosper.
In a victim impact statement, Mr Saunders told how the assault had changed his life.
He said he woke up in Singleton Hospital, Swansea, not knowing where he was or what had happened. He suffered serious facial injuries and will be scarred for life.
“I was absolutely devastated and as time has gone by it has got worse,” said Mr Saunders.
“I have panic attacks and I don’t go out because I don’t want people to see me.”
Mr Saunders has not worked since the assault, despite having a well paid job.
“I feel a changed person,” he added.
The court heard that Hughes had previous convictions for violence and a probation officer had assessed the chances of him re-offending as “medium to high”.
Hughes’ barrister, Dyfed Thomas, described the attack as “a classic case of a major loss of temper.”
Judge Vosper said Hughes had maintained a not guilty plea at first on the basis that he had not realised he had been holding a glass.
However, that claim disappeared, added the judge, after Mr Saunders had told how he had felt the glass being twisted into his face after the initial impact.
Source: Western Telegraph