Levi Wilson, 33, has been jailed for six years and nine months for a brutal assault on Halloween that left his victim with permanent scarring and PTSD.
Attack at Preston flat
Wilson attacked the victim at a flat in Ingol, Preston, on October 31, repeatedly punching him in the face after arriving armed with a knife and demanding "money or weed". CCTV captured Wilson shouting threats outside the property before forcing his way inside.
Preston Crown Court heard how, although the victim managed to seize the knife, Wilson continued the attack, leaving him disfigured, bleeding and vomiting as he staggered from his home moments later.
Injuries and impact
The victim was admitted to hospital the following day, where doctors treated multiple facial fractures, inserted metal plates into his cheekbone and documented lasting injuries including distorted vision, numbness and permanent scarring, Lancs Live reports.
He has since been diagnosed with PTSD and, in a victim impact statement, explained the attack had stopped him from working and caused financial hardship. His relationship with his children suffered as he didn't want them to see his injuries, and their mother feared for their safety.
He now conceals his face when leaving the flat to hide his identity, he said. The victim declined to assist police with their investigation and failed to appear in court when Wilson was scheduled to face trial.
Sentence
Wilson, who resides at Sylvancroft, Ingol, admitted to wounding with intent and was returned to custody as he had been on licence following a 10-year sentence for drug-related offences, the court was told.
Passing sentence, Judge Darren Preston stated: "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 involved father in recent times, but noted his extensive criminal history and the fact he had tested positive for cocaine while on licence. He imposed a sentence of six years and nine months' imprisonment.
