Burglar struck biker in face as he slept in bed
HE’S just a coward.” These are the words used by the victim of a “blind drunk” burglar who smashed him in the face as he slept at his South Gloucestershire home.
Ross Vinall has no recall of entering Ian Tincknell’s home off the High Street in Kingswood.
As for Mr Tincknell, he felt
“an explosion” when the intruder struck him in the face for no reason whatsoever. He then left a bloodied and shocked Mr Tincknell, helping himself to just two kitchen knives.
And now the 64-year-old passionate biker has been left with a life-changing eye injury.
Not only has it meant the loss of his job as an HGV driver, but the inability to ride his beloved Honda 1800cc bike with White Tigers Motorcycle Club.
Vinall, 20, of Alma Road in Kingswood, pleaded guilty to burglary and causing grievous bodily harm in November last year.
He also admitted attempted burglary by smashing the window of a house elsewhere.
Judge Michael Longman handed him two years and eight months’ youth custody.
He told Vinall: “As Mr Tincknell slept you delivered to his face a massive blow which almost certainly involved the use of a weapon. You stole two knives from his home.
“The effect of his injury has been devastating. He is not able to do the work he was doing or pursue the hobby of biking which was of such importance to him.
“Even in the contact of grievous bodily harm the injury was particularly serious for him.”
The judge said Mr Tincknell could apply to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority for redress in the case.
Mr Tincknell said he has lived in Bristol for nine or 10 years and has no connection whatsoever with his attacker.
As a result of injury to his right eye he suffers double vision if it is uncovered.
He said: “I was hoping he would get 10 or 12 years. You can’t print what I think of this young man. He was drunk, but we all go out for a drink. He’s just a coward.”
Tabitha Macfarlane, prosecuting, told Bristol Crown Court it was the early hours of a day in November last year when Vinall threw a brick through a window in Southfield Avenue, Kingswood.
Shortly after he entered Mr Tincknell’s home nearby and smashed a sleeping Mr Tincknell in the face.
Mr Macfarlane said: “He felt a complete explosion to his face. He was covered in blood and in deep shock. He saw a man simply walking away.”
The court heard Mr Tincknell sat down, calmed down and called police. He was taken to Southmead Hospital where he was treated for fractures to his right cheekbone, the orbital wall of his eye and his nose.
He underwent an operation due to a haemorrhage behind his eye and to address pressure which built up.
Miss Macfarlane told the court: “He was an HGV driver, the operative word being was. He was a keen biker, which was an important part of his life and his identity.
“His biking was his lifestyle. He can’t do that now, he can’t safely ride his bike anymore or ride out on charity bike runs. His life has permanently changed.”
Police deployed a dog unit to track Vinall – but were able to follow a trail of blood to his home, where they found him with an injured hand.
A vodka bottle at Mr Tincknell’s home had Vinall’s fingerprints on.
Ian Kelcey, defending, said: “This is a staggering case. A young man whose gone out and clearly got himself blind drunk.
“He can offer little or no explanation as to what happened.”
Mr Kelcey said though his “immature” client couldn’t recall events he never denied his involvement.
He told the court: “Ross Vinall wants me to apologise on his behalf.
“It is the evils of alcohol that has brought this man before the court. It caused him to be convicted of a charge in April last year.
“He does not find himself able to deal with alcohol when he’s intoxicated.
“He has to learn that lesson that he and alcohol do not mix.”