‘HE COULD HAVE KILLED VICTIM’
A violent thug who was jailed for brutally assaulting a man and his girlfriend has been told he is “incredibly fortunate” not to have faced possible murder charges.
Paul Watson, 39, repeatedly stamped on the man’s head and punched his partner following a disagreement in Seaburn, Sunderland.
Watson first argued with the pair inside the Royal Marine pub, but as they left hours later, the 39-year-old was waiting for them and launched an attack.
He knocked the man, who suffered severe bruising and a broken nose, to the floor before stamping on him, before punching his girlfriend.
Watson, of South Durham Street, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to assault and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm when he appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on Wednesday, April 1.
He was jailed for five years and given a three-year extension to his licence.
Pc Lorna Waters, of Northumbria Police, said: “This was a savage and callous attack on two innocent members of the public who were enjoying a night out together at the pub.
“But as they left, Watson carried out an unprovoked and sustained assault on both victims – using a horrifying level of aggression and violence that could so easily have resulted in devastating injuries.
“Quite frankly, after stamping on the man’s head with both feet and repeatedly kicking him, we could so easily have been dealing with a murder investigation.
“Watson is incredibly fortunate that his victim did not suffer life-threatening injuries.
“There is absolutely no place for this type of criminality or violence in our community.
“And I am pleased that the judge has recognised the severity of Watson’s actions and handed down a significant custodial sentence.”
The incident happened on Saturday, September 1 2018.
The woman who was attacked added in a statement: “I am a mother of a young daughter and when I thought that this male was going to kill me, the thoughts of what would happen to my daughter were racing through my mind.
“Those thoughts are still with me.
“They have traumatised me, to the point I immediately become tearful and upset when recalling them.”