Joshua Saxton, 22, held his head in his hands in court as he was jailed over the horrific attack on a night out in Warrington, Merseyside that left his victim partially blind
A thug was seen burying his head in his hands in court as he was shown CCTV footage of the moment he left a man blind in one eye.
Joshua Saxton repeatedly punched his victim in the face during a night out, continuing his assault even after the visibly distressed man had turned his back and retreated. The victim’s horrific injuries now mean that he struggles with simple tasks such as shaving, sending a text message or putting on his trousers. On the day after his 22nd birthday, cries of “no” and “oh God” were heard from his family members in court as Saxton was sent to prison over the “nasty and cowardly attack”.
Liverpool Crown Court heard on Tuesday that a number of men unconnected to either Saxton or his victim were kicked out of Block 1 nightclub on Bold Street in Warrington town centre at around 2am on November 19 last year. One of these men was said to have “fallen forcefully down the stairs” upon being ejected, with several women who were in attendance alongside Dominic Robinson thereafter approaching the casualty due to concerns for his welfare.
Helen Chenery, prosecuting, described how one of the defendant’s party also came to the injured man’s aid, but a “disagreement” then arose between the two groups. Mr Robinson subsequently “ran over to stop an assault” on his godson before Saxton punched him in the face.
CCTV footage showed him “stumbling” after the initial attack, before Saxton followed up with three more blows in a “in a windmill-type action”. The victim turned away clutching his face but was hit several more times before falling to the ground, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Saxton, from Marron Avenue in Longford, Warrington, then fled towards Queens Gardens. He sat in the dock with his head bowed and his hands covering his face as videos of his assault were played in court. Mr Robinson suffered injuries including a fractured eye socket, leaving him permanently blind in his right eye and with a scar on his cheekbone. He also had to undergo emergency surgery to save his eyeball.
The former delivery driver was forced to quit his job of three years following the incident. In a statement read out in court on his behalf, Mr Robinson said: “Things like getting a shave, which would once be a simple task, I now struggle with. Even putting my trousers on can be a task. Even sending a text can be difficult. I still have this big, dark cloud hanging over me. The injury affected not just me but my whole family, and it’s something I will have to live with for the rest of my life.”
Saxton has no previous convictions. His defence lawyer, Sarah Griffin, told the court: “This is, on any view and from any perspective, an incredibly sad case. He has had the prospect of an immediate custodial sentence hanging over him for 10 months. He knows he can have no complaints whatsoever if this court decides to send him to custody immediately, but this is a case where the sentence can properly be suspended with a package of onerous requirements which will not only continue his rehabilitation but properly punish this defendant.
“This is an instant of violence that is truly out of character for this defendant. He is described in references as a family and career- focussed young man who is thoughtful, kind, sensitive, respectful, polite, caring and considerate. It is clear that on this evening, fuelled by alcohol, he made an incredibly foolish mistake. In my submission, he has demonstrated genuine remorse.
“He is clearly devastated by the impact of his actions. There is another side to this defendant’s character. His charitable work, his marathon training and him being the captain of his football team are all at odds with the young man we see in the CCTV footage. He has recognised that alcohol played an impact on this evening. He has significantly reduced his alcohol consumption.”
Saxton admitted a single count of affray. Dressed in a white shirt and black tie in court, he was sentenced to 10 months in prison. His supporters were heard crying “no” and “oh God” in the public gallery as he was taken into custody, while one woman told him “love you, Josh” as he was led down to the cells.
During sentencing, Recorder Kevin Slack described the impact on the victim as devastating, saying: “The consequences for the victim are catastrophic. In any respect, the victim has been affected in a catastrophic way. It is no exaggeration to say that these were life-changing injuries. You are a young man of good character. All who know you say how out of character your behaviour was. This is an incredibly sad case. I accept that you are a kind and caring young adult and that you come from a loving family who are here to support you in great numbers. However, this was a nasty and cowardly attack. However long the sentence is, it will not bring the victim’s sight back. I accept your genuine remorse and your genuine wish that you could turn back the clock.”
