Blyth man scarred for life by stranger in "unprovoked" and "animalistic" Boxing Day pub attack

Richie Jefferson had 16 double vodkas in three hours before he lashed out for no reason in a busy Northumberland bar, leaving his blameless victim "absolutely covered in blood" and with facial wounds.

A judge has said society has a problem with such "senseless, unnecessary and unprovoked" drunken violence. Newcastle Crown Court heard the victim had been out on December 26 2023 in Blyth town centre and had been for a meal and to some pubs, where he had about four pints.

Sometime after 11pm, he bumped into another friend and went to a busy bar, where he had been for around 20 minutes before, he was suddenly struck to the face and stumbled backwards. His next recollection was being in hospital with a laceration to his forehead and a cut to his nose. A flap of skin on his forehead was being held together with blood.

He has been left permanently scarred and said in an impact statement: "This was a completely unprovoked attack. Although the initial pain was physical, me and my family are continuing to suffer emotional distress.

"The attack was so unreasonably violent and has instilled fear in me when going out and carrying out activities I previously enjoyed."

He added that he has been left self-conscious due to the significant scarring he suffered and it affected his ability to run and cycle due to the impact on his breathing. The victim said: "I no longer feel safe going out alone due to the animalistic and brutal nature of this attack."

Jefferson, 25, of Strathtyrum Drive, Cramlington, pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding. He was sentenced to two years suspended for two years with 150 hours unpaid work and must pay £2,500 compensation at £25 a week. He was also given a five-year restraining order.

Recorder Nicholas Worsley KC said: "Society has a problem with, particularly young men, going out getting drunk and ending up getting involved in senseless violence. That's what this was. It was utterly senseless, utterly unnecessary, utterly unprovoked."

The recorder added: "It's quite clear from the CCTV you didn't just hit him once, there was a flurry of blows. The photographs of him when he went to hospital are appalling, he was absolutely covered in blood. It's said he has been left with permanent scarring."

Recorder Worsley told Jefferson: "That's what you did to him, for no reason, because you went out and got yourself drunk. He did nothing to deserve it."

Jordan Parkinson, defending, said: "The complainant was not known to the defendant. He had consumed a large amount of alcohol, which impacted on his behaviour. This offence would not have happened but for his intoxicated state that evening.

"He knows his behaviour was extremely unacceptable and he is extremely ashamed of his actions. He wants to express his remorse, through me, to the victim."

Miss Parkinson said Jefferson was going through a difficult time in his personal life at the time and "lashed out" when in an emotional state and accepted he "completely overreacted". She added: "He assures me he will never raise his hand to another person again.

"He no longer drinks alcohol and has moved and distanced himself from peers. He plays football and runs a football team and is in full-time employment in a barbershop. He has ambitions to go into the armed forces."