NINE YEARS FOR BRUTAL ATTACK
Oneoftwovictimsleftwith brainhaemorrhageaftercity clubassault
A man who brutally attacked a man and woman in a club – leaving one with a brain haemorrhage and broken nose – has been jailed for nine years.
Ricki King, 34, attacked the couple while they were drinking at the Buffs Club, in Southwick, Sunderland, on October 5 last year
Prosecutor Neil Pallister told Newcastle Crown Court that at about 10pm the female victim returned to her seat to see King shouting at her partner and he then came “right up” in her face and threatened to hit them both.
She said that when King was asked why, he replied: “Because I can get away with it.”
The court heard that he then began punching her in the face, pulled her to the ground and kicked her in the head before turning to her partner and kicking and punching him.
As a result of the attack, the man spent two weeks in hospital after he suffered a brain haemorrhage and a broken nose. The woman’s injuries included two blackeyes, a sore nose and sore back as a result of the attack.
In a victim impact statement, the woman said: “I’m worried that I might bump into the person that hurt me,” and that she was concerned he would hurt her again.
In his victim impact statement, the male victim said: “I’m still not myself.”
He said he couldn’t speak properly when he was in hospital and his head still felt “fuzzy”.
CCTV footage showed King attacking the female and then the male victim. King then walked away while they remained on the floor, before returning to kick the man again, who had managed to sit up.
King had previously admitted two counts of inflicting grievous bodily harm and denied two counts of causing bodily harm with intent.
Yesterday he changed one count to guilty.
The court also heard how King exposed himself following an incident at the Spar store on North Hylton Road, Sunderland, on November 18, 2017.
The court heard King entered the shop and began “mucking about” before dropping his trousers and underpants and running up to the shop workers at the cash desk.
The court also dealt with the charge of threatening behaviour following an incident at the North Star bar in Sunderland.
The court heard that on March 13 last year, King entered the bar and began acting aggressively, getting in people’s faces and at one point knocked the manager - his uncle – to the ground.
King previously had pleaded guilty to exposure and to threatening behaviour.
King was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment.