Thug jailed after glass bottle attack

A thug has been jailed after he attacked a man with a glass bottle and spat in an officer’s face.

Robert Stowar admitted to assaulting a man on Heaton Hall Road in Byker last August in a violent attack outside of a busy pub.

The 24-year-old was seen chasing his victim down the street before smashing a glass bottle over his head and using the shards to stab him in the back of the head.

Call handlers from Northumbria Police received a number of reports from concerned onlookers at the time of the incident, and officers were on the scene within minutes.

The victim was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, while Stowar was taken into custody where his unruly behaviour continued.

Stowar is said to have hurled abuse at staff, blocked a toilet in his cell with tissue paper and then spat in an officer’s face.

An investigation was launched and police pursued a prosecution against Stowar with CCTV footage and witness accounts.

Stowar, from North Shields, previously admitted to unlawful wounding and assault by beating of an emergency worker on February 9 and last week was jailed for 22 months at Newcastle Crown Court.

Speaking after the sentencing, PC Andrew Devlin the officer in charge of the case, said: “I am pleased Stowar has been jailed as this was a vicious assault in broad daylight, in front of a busy pub.

“Stowar didn’t care who saw this outburst and the volume of 999 calls we received as a result of his behaviour show just how shocking his actions were.

“We know that following an altercation, Stowar chased his victim down the street and used a bottle as a weapon, even when his victim was physically injured and trying to get away. Violence this like has no place on our streets and we are pleased that the victim has made a full recovery.

“Our stance on serious violence is clear – it is completely unacceptable and anyone found to be involved will be found, brought before the courts and prosecuted.”