Levi Wilson, 33, has been sentenced to six years and nine months in prison for a violent assault that left a Preston man with permanent disfigurement and psychological trauma. The attack took place on Halloween at the victim's flat in Ingol, Preston.
Attack Details
Preston Crown Court heard that Wilson arrived at the victim's first-floor flat carrying a knife and demanding 'money or weed'. CCTV footage from outside the property captured Wilson issuing threats and shouting: "I'm a big man."
The victim managed to wrestle the knife from Wilson, but the attacker then repeatedly punched him in the face. Shortly afterwards, CCTV showed the victim leaving his flat with his face severely disfigured and bleeding, according to Lancs Live.
Injuries and Aftermath
The victim was vomiting and drenched in blood, the court was told. The next day, his sister took him to hospital and reported the incident. He remained in hospital overnight and now experiences distorted vision in one eye, facial numbness, and permanent scarring. He required metal plates to be inserted into his cheekbone, sustained multiple facial fractures, and was later diagnosed with PTSD.
In a victim impact statement, he explained that the attack had prevented him from working and caused financial difficulties. His relationship with his children had suffered, as he did not want them to see his injuries, and their mother was concerned about their safety. He now conceals his face when leaving the flat to hide his identity. The victim refused to cooperate with police and failed to appear in court on the day Wilson was due to face trial.
Sentencing
Wilson, of Sylvancroft, Ingol, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent. He was recalled to prison, having been on licence following a 10-year sentence for drug dealing.
Judge Darren Preston, passing sentence, said: "Your victim, on the afternoon of October 31 last year was involved with you and perhaps even a third party in some sort of drug deal - the terms of which it seems you didn't like and you became aggressive."
"You deliberately armed yourself and went round to his flat. There was an immediate altercation in which you were shouting abuse, threats and you were a big man. You armed yourself with a knife, the actions of a coward - not a big man. Your victim was left vomiting, disfigured, bloodied and battered. When arrested you told lies to protect yourself."
"He required surgery to fix his face, he has constant pain and loss of vision, not surprisingly he has PTSD. Every day of his life is affected by what you did to him."
The judge acknowledged that Wilson had been a devoted and actively involved father in recent years, but noted that he had spent a considerable portion of his life behind bars and had tested positive for cocaine while on licence. He handed down a sentence of six years and nine months.
