Market Rasen: Pair are jailed for attacking a disabled man and breaking his leg

Two Market Rasen men who attacked a disabled man leaving him with a broken leg have each been jailed for 10 months.
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Lincoln Crown Court heard that the victim Ray Davison, who has brain damage, was in The Pizza House in the town with his carer when he was assaulted without warning.

Esther Harrison, prosecuting, said that Mr Davison was grabbed by Derrick Skinner who then slapped him.

Mr Davison fell to the floor inside the premises as both Skinner and a second man James Appleyard assaulted him.

The victim ended up behind the door which was then pushed against him before Mr Davison’s carer was able to intervene.

The attackers left the premises and Mr Davison’s carer closed the door to prevent them returning.

Police and ambulance staff were called to the premises and Mr Davison was taken to hospital.

His leg was broken in two places and he subsequently underwent an operation.

Miss Harrison said “This was a serious injury caused to a vulnerable man.”

Skinner, 49, of Friesthorpe Lane, Market Rasen, and Appleyard ,29, of The Furlongs, Market Rasen, each admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm as a result of the incident on 19th January 2014.

Judge John Pini QC told them “This was quite appalling, thuggish behaviour by both of you.”

“Both of you had had far, far too much to drink. This was a deliberate attack on a defenceless man. It was two on one.”

David Eager , for Skinner, said the serious injury may have been caused when Skinner fell on the victim.

He said Skinner worked as an HGV driver but lost his job after being banned from driving.

Mr Eager said “He was drinking heavily and in a state of depression after losing his job.”

Michael Cranmer-Brown, for Appleyard, said his client was normally a decent, hard-working man.

“This was completely out of character. He was going through a relatively difficult time in his life which led to him drinking. He was very low.”

Mr Cranmer-Brown said that Appleyard is due to become a father soon and urged that he should be given a suspended jail sentence.

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