A vicious and unprovoked attack, described in court as an act of 'blind rage', has left a man with life-changing injuries after a horrific street assault in Hull.
Liam Thorpe, a 28-year-old welder, launched a brutal attack on his victim, causing a catastrophic brain injury, a fractured eye socket, and a broken nose. The court heard how the assault was so severe that the victim required extensive surgery and may never fully recover.
A Senseless and Brutal Assault
The incident unfolded when Thorpe's victim accidentally bumped into him on a public street. Without any warning or provocation, Thorpe flew into a frenzy of violence. Prosecutors stated that Thorpe repeatedly punched and kicked the man after he had fallen to the ground, utterly defenceless.
The victim's injuries were so severe that he was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment. Medical reports confirmed he suffered a fractured skull, significant bleeding on the brain, and multiple fractures to his face.
Life-Altering Consequences for the Victim
In a powerful victim impact statement read aloud in Hull Crown Court, the man detailed the profound and lasting impact of the assault. He described suffering from constant headaches, dizziness, and crippling anxiety, leaving him unable to work or socialise as he once did.
His statement painted a heartbreaking picture of a life irrevocably damaged by a few moments of uncontrolled violence, confessing that he now 'fears going out in public' and feels his 'independence has been stolen'.
Justice Served at Hull Crown Court
Liam Thorpe of Hull pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm. Judge Mark Bury condemned the 'sustained and brutal' nature of the assault, highlighting its profound impact on the innocent victim.
Thorpe was sentenced to a significant term of imprisonment for his actions. This case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating real-world consequences of sudden, unprovoked violence on UK streets.
