Thug jailed for 8 years over street attack
ADRUNK reveller who launched a vicious and unprovoked attack on a pub-goer has been jailed for eight years.
Andrew Fox headbutted victim Christopher Wood in Rawtenstall before stamping on his leg and causing a serious ‘butterfly fragment’ fracture, a court heard.
The 33-year-old attacker had been drinking beers and spirits all night at a Christmas work party on December 18 last year and was walking towards Rawtenstall town centre when the incident happened.
Francis McEntee, prosecuting, told Burnley Crown Court how Mr Wood and his wife had been out at the White Lion pub and were walking home when Fox passed them in the street near to St James’ Health Centre.
When Mrs Wood commented to her husband that it was a ‘nice December evening’ Fox overheard and replied ‘what do you mean it’s a f****** nice night?’
Mr McEntee said: “It’s unusual such a pleasant feature of the evening should in fact have been the spark for what was to follow.”
He told the court how the commercial tyre fitter then ‘ forcefully’ head-butted Mr Wood which caused him to bang his head against a wall.
When the victim tried to restrain Fox he was bitten twice to his wrist and hand before being punched several times.
Mr McEntee said Fox then started to walk away before returning to the scene and stamped on Mr Wood’s ‘straightened’ right leg as he was trying to get up off the floor.
He said: “He didn’t hear any crack, albeit there was significant damage, and he had shooting pain to his leg.”
The court heard how Fox then attacked passer-by Alan Heys by trying to get him in a headlock before fleeing the area.
Fox was quickly identified and arrested and taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital where he later head-butted PC Lee Ferrier.
The defendant later told police that he had been on a works do and had ‘little recollection’ of the attack.
Mr McEntee said: “He said he had been drinking beer and, as he described it, ‘ smashing Jagerbombs’ all night.
“He said he doesn’t normally drink a lot and that the alcohol had a significant effect on him.”
In a victim impact statement, Mr Wood said he was not able to support his terminally ill mother who has since passed away.
He has also suffered from anxiety since the early hours attack, was forced to wear a cast over Christmas and has not been able to return to work.
Fox, of Balmoral Court, Blackley, Manchester, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and common assault and was jailed for eight years.