A man who thrust a pint glass into the neck of a much smaller, defenceless woman in a pub assault left her with life-threatening injuries, a court was told.
The now 50-year-old victim, who had questioned defendant David Jenkins for calling a child, “a nonce”, thought she was going to die in the aftermath of the attack as she appeared to lapse in and out of consciousness, due to heavy blood loss.
Newcastle Crown Court heard that the 5ft 4in, nine-stone victim, suffered “horrific injuries” in what prosecutor Joe Hedworth said resembled a scene from a horror film.
The victim recalls hearing paramedics, treating her at the scene, saying: “She’s gone, she’s gone,” followed by: “She’s back.”
Read more: County Durham man admits assault in late night pub melee
Jenkins, who fled the Oddfellows Arms, in Millfield, Sunderland, “smirking” as he was told he was barred by the publican, was arrested after police forced entry to an address in Greystone Place, Sunderland, later on the night of Saturday, October 9, 2021.
He was aggressive with the officers detaining him, threatening to rip off their heads, and using derogatory language.
Mr Hedworth said the victim was taken to the resuscitation unit of the accident and emergency department at hospital with a 10cm wound to the right side of the neck.
She suffered damage to a jugular vein causing repeat haemorrhage and after emergency treatment remained in hospital for two days before being discharged.
But the court heard the attack has had a profound effect upon the once cheery, outgoing woman, who is now fearful of going out unaccompanied and struggles to sleep due to nightmares.
Mr Hedworth said the now 39-year-old defendant, of no fixed address at the time, denied wounding with intent, claiming he reacted in self-defence, thrusting out his hand to protect himself, forgetting he was holding a glass.
But he did admit the lesser offence of unlawful wounding.
Following a week-long trial, last year, he was found guilty of the more serious charge and today's (Thursday, February 23) sentencing hearing was told he has a history of violent offences on his record, including serious assaults when he was under the influence of drink or drugs.
He was also on crown court bail at the time of the incident, following an arrest for dangerous driving, earlier in 2021.
Read more: Victim asked defendant for bottle opener outside Peterlee pub prior to assault
A psychiatric report was said to consider Jenkins as posing a “moderate risk” of causing further serious harm, but a Probation Service assessment classed him as a “high risk”, adding that he was still in denial of the Crown’s account of the incident.
Jason Smith, in mitigation, said his client always accepted responsibility for the injuries, but there was just the issue of intent.
“It was very much a matter of an incident with a confrontation where he makes the decision, unfortunate as it is, without a great deal of forethought, to use a glass as he did.”
Questioned by Judge Christopher Prince whether the lead-up could be classed as, “a confrontation”, Mr Smith said: “It was a form of a ‘confrontation’, which was not meant to be aggressive, even though he was not in the least bit interested in having it (a confrontation).”
Mr Smith said the defendant was not in the best of situations at the time, the day after attending a funeral, as he was suffering from a mental health disorder.
He added that while on remand in custody, the defendant has suffered some form of “summary justice” with reprisal attacks upon himself, at Durham Prison.
As a result, he has been placed on “pad arrest”, confined to his cell for his own protection.
Mr Smith said he has also made efforts to work with substance misuse teams in the prison to address his issues with drugs and alcohol.
References, written on Jenkin’s behalf, and a letter from the defendant, were handed to Judge Prince.
The judge said even in those references, the authors seemed to be taking the defendant’s stance, watering down his culpability for the pub attack.
Judge Prince said the incident followed a pattern for the defendant, reacting violently while under the influence of drink or drugs, often with the use of a makeshift weapon.
The judge said he concluded Jenkins does pose a high risk of causing serious harm in future, particularly in incidents where he is challenged or confronted.
“You smashed that glass into the face and neck of the victim.
“It was, in your hand, a highly dangerous weapon, and would have proved fatal if not for the intevention of paramedics and doctors.”
Read next:
Wingate man facing sentence after breaking man's jaw in village pub attack
Ill-feeling between former friends led to Trimdon street hammer attack
Men brawled in street after County Durham pub fight spilled outside
Get more from The Northern Echo. Save 20% on a Premium Plus digital subscription this month. Click here
Judge Prince said the victim was not expecting to be attacked, standing before Jenkins unprotected, without support.
He imposed an extended determinate sentence comprising a 14-year custodial element with six years’ extended licence upon release.
Judge Prince said Jenkins must serve at least two-thirds of the sentence, a term of more than nine years, before he can be considered eligible for parole, but may have to serve the full 14-year custodial term depending on the view of the Parole Board.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel