Five years for bottle thug who scarred victim

A THUG smashed a glass bottle on the pavement and jabbed it in to another man’s face causing lifelong scarring.

Sidney Mpofu had to undergo surgery to remove shards of glass from his face after the horrific attack by Daniel Whitehouse in Coventry.

Whitehouse, 28, of Fort Avenue, Wyken, pleaded guilty at Warwick Crown Court to wounding with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm.

He was given what is known as an extended prison sentence of five years in jail.

Whitehouse will serve at least two-thirds of that sentence before the Parole Board can consider his release and only when they consider it safe to do so.

He will then remain on licence for the rest of that period and for a further four years.

Jailing Whitehouse, Judge Andrew Lockhart QC told him: “You have a very bad criminal record. “I have seen the video. You had been drinking, and no doubt taking drugs, and you quickly became aggressive. “You pick up a bottle, and we see you smashing it on the ground before using it as a weapon, and you struck out more than once to his face with the jagged part of the bottle.” The judge also said that Whitehouse was a dangerous offender who presented a serious risk of causing serious injury or even death by further offences. Prosecutor Lisa Hancox said that on November 30, Mr Mpofu and Whitehouse, who knew each other through their respective girlfriends, were near to the Salvation Army Harnall Lifehouse in Coventry. Mr Mpofu recalled drinking three cans of cider with Whitehouse, before a blow “coming out of the blue”. Miss Hancox said CCTV record- ings from the area showed there was a disagreement between the two men, during which Whitehouse threw a punch.

They struggled with each other and ended up in the middle of the road before Mr Mpofu walked away back to the pavement.

But it appeared that Whitehouse would not let matters rest and approached him again, as someone stood between them trying to keep them apart. Then, as Mr Mpofu began to walk away, Whitehouse picked up a bottle from the pavement, followed him for a few steps before bending down and smashing it on the ground.

He then lunged towards Mr Mpofu twice, jabbing the jagged remains of the bottle into his face, causing wounds to the area around both his left and right temples.

As a result, Mr Mpofu had to undergo an operation to remove glass from his wounds, which had extended into the facial muscle and he may suffer long-term scarring.

Miss Hancox added that Whitehouse had 39 previous convictions for 55 offences, including assault, affray, battery and possessing bladed articles.

I have seen the video. You had been drinking, and no doubt taking drugs, and you quickly became aggressive. Judge Lockhart