Man blinded partner's dad in horror attack after Christmas Day dinner
A man who blinded his partner's father in one eye during a drunken Christmas Day assault before fleeing across the border has been jailed.
Due to losing sight in his left eye, the injured party had to leave his job at Translink, where he had worked for 44 years.
James Fawl (43) also assaulted his partner and her mother during the incident.
Originally from Co Clare and with an address at Alexandra Park Avenue in Belfast, the defendant was handed a two-year sentence today that has been divided equally between prison and licence.
Belfast Crown Court heard that on December 25, 2020, Fawl's partner hosted a Christmas dinner in her house in the east of the city. Her parents were also present.
During the course of the day, Fawl consumed a considerable amount of alcohol and became emotional when his partner put on a song that reminded him of his late mother as Christmas was the anniversary of her death.
Fawl's partner then put on more upbeat music, which appeared to annoy him. He started shouting at her, an argument developed, and she walked out of the room.
He followed her, with the woman's father trying to calm Fawl down by standing in front of his daughter and wife.
As Fawl continued shouting, his partner's father put his arm on a bannister in a bid to act as a barrier between the defendant and the two women.
Fawl then attacked the older man, punching him numerous times. This resulted in the injured party falling to the ground and feeling immediate pain in his left eye, which was bleeding.
During the melee, Fawl appeared to realise the seriousness of the injury he had just inflicted and walked back into the living room.
The victim was rushed to hospital and lost vision in his left eye, while his wife and daughter sustained minor injuries.
Fawl was interviewed by police on Boxing Day. He told officers he had been drinking too much the day before, that an argument had broken out and he was heartbroken by what had happened.
Despite this, he fled across the border and had to be extradited. He later admitted one count of grievous bodily harm and two counts of common assault.
Belfast Crown Court
News in 90 Seconds - Thursday, July 3
Crown barrister Bobbie-Leigh Herdman told Judge Reel that the injured party's vision is not expected to improve and that the only option available is the removal of his left eye and an artificial replacement.
Judge Reel revealed a statement written by the injured party indicated how he now uses a prosthesis shield that he wears over his left eye, which he has to remove and clean every night.
The man also detailed the nightmares he suffers, having to leave his job with Translink and the adjustment to his life having lost the sight in his eye.
The judge said: "Quite simply, this incident changed his life."
Defence barrister Jonpaul Shields told Judge Reel: "I would like to state formally, on behalf of the defendant, that he is truly and genuinely sorry for what has happened and offers an absolute unreserved and unambiguous apology to the family."
He added his client wrote a letter which was then read out. It said: 'I am writing to express my remorse. On the 25th of December 2020, I gave an awful account of myself and I have lived with the feelings of guilt, shame and remorse ever since.'
Describing his now former partner's father as a good man, Fawl's letter added: 'I can't begin to understand the pain and suffering he has endured.
'I sincerely apologise to the family... I know how much they love him and my actions have had a devastating effect on all involved. My heart truly goes out to them. I deeply regret what I have done and pray for their forgiveness. I am sorry.'
Judge Reel said the expressions of remorse and regret "would have been more easily accepted had the defendant remained to face the consequences of his actions rather than leaving the jurisdiction'.
He added that he had read and considered further defence submissions and accepted Fawl was experiencing poor mental health when he absconded.
It was heard that Fawl has no previous convictions, is in a new relationship and is "keen" to return to home when he has served his sentence.
As he imposed the two-year sentence, Judge Reel addressed Fawl: "The result of your act was devastating. It was a life-changing injury inflicted on the injured party."
He also told Fawl that by fleeing the country he displayed "no regard for the victims who were left with the open wound of this case hanging over them'.
He also granted a Crown application and imposed five-year restraining orders which ban Fawl from contacting his ex-partner, her mother and her father.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
8 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Driver pleads GUILTY to killing woman, 22, in 140mph horror crash on Christmas Day as he fled police in his Mercedes
Judge tells driver that a prison sentence will be "inevitable" DEATH SMASH Driver pleads GUILTY to killing woman, 22, in 140mph horror crash on Christmas Day as he fled police in his Mercedes A DRIVER has pleaded guilty to the killing of a 22-year-old woman on Christmas Day in a 140mph horror crash. Evan Forde, 32, was driving his Mercedes in Brent Cross, north London, when he crashed into another vehicle at high speed. 2 Evan Forde, 32, pleaded guilty to killing a 22-year-old woman at the Old Bailey today Credit: Alamy 2 Maria Carolina Do Nascimento died at the scene in 2022 Credit: PA Advertisement He then proceeded to flee from the police on foot in the early hours of the morning on December 25, 2022. Brazilian Maria Carolina Do Nascimento was a passenger in the BMW that Forde crashed into. The young woman tragically passed away at the scene. The accident occurred on a 40mph stretch of road in Hendon Way at around 3.45am. Advertisement Despite the speed limit, Forde had been driving at speeds of more than 140mph. This resulted in Nascimento's tragic death, despite the London Ambulance Service rushing to the scene and desperately trying to save the girl. Shortly before the fatal crash, police officers on patrol in a marked vehicle had indicated for his car to stop. However, the vehicle drove off from police and there was no pursuit, according to Scotland Yard. Advertisement Moments later, cops were informed that the same car had been involved in a collision. The occupants of the Mercedes did not stop for the police as they proceeded to flee the scene on foot. Moment unsuspecting painter is sent flying through air in terrifying crash after car comes out of nowhere On Tuesday, Forde appeared at the Old Bailey where he pleaded guilty to causing Ms Nascimento's death by dangerous driving. Members of the victim's family wept in court after he admitted the offence. Defence barrister Tasmin Malcolm said Forde had "always accepted" he was driving the Mercedes. Advertisement She said: 'Undoubtedly the speed Mr Forde was driving will be an aggravating feature to the court. 'It is important we are satisfied of the accuracy of the material relied on by the Crown.' Prosecutor Frederick Hookway observed that small variations of the speeds involved in the case were unlikely to have an impact given the defendant had reached 'top speeds of over 140mph'. Judge Anthony Leonard KC adjourned sentencing until October 22 and granted Forde continued conditional bail. He told him: "You have pleaded guilty to a very serious charge. Advertisement "There was perhaps no option other than to do so given the state of the evidence. "However, the fact you pleaded at this stage will be taken into account at sentencing. "You must understand the most likely result - if not the inevitable result - will be you sent to prison." Previously the Metropolitan Police said it had made a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct as is routine in such circumstances.
Irish Examiner
12 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Suspect in car-ramming attack on German Christmas market charged with murder
The suspect in a deadly car-ramming attack on a Christmas market in the German city of Magdeburg has been charged with murder, attempted murder and bodily harm, prosecutors said. Five women and a boy died, and many more people were wounded, in the December 20 attack that lasted just over a minute. Authorities have identified the suspect as a 50-year-old Saudi doctor who arrived in Germany in 2006 and had received permanent residency. They have not officially released his name, in keeping with German privacy rules. In an indictment filed to the state court in Magdeburg, prosecutors say he is charged with six counts of murder, 338 counts of attempted murder and 309 counts of bodily harm. He is also accused of dangerous interference with road traffic. Murder charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison. The Magdeburg court will decide whether to send the case to trial. Prosecutors said the man was not under the influence of alcohol and apparently carried out the attack 'out of dissatisfaction and frustration with the course and outcome of a civil law dispute and the failure of various criminal complaints'. They said he aimed to kill as many people as possible and had spent several weeks planning the attack, without accomplices or anyone else knowing about his plans. The attack was carried out with a rented BMW X3, which reached speeds of up to 30 mph during the rampage. Officials have said the suspect does not fit the usual profile of perpetrators of extremist attacks. The man described himself as an ex-Muslim who was highly critical of Islam and on social media expressed support for the far-right. The suspect had previously come to authorities' attention for threatening behaviour but was not known to have committed any violence.
Sunday World
2 days ago
- Sunday World
Alleged animal-abuser head of East Belfast ‘vigilantes' slams rival group
Leader of east Belfast 'vigilante' group who harassed migrants on streets walked free from court over horrific animal cruelty pics Neil Pinkerton was charged with animal cruelty for this shocking image but managed to walk free from court The man pictured here triumphantly holding aloft a bloodied and battered dead fox after his terrier dog tore it to bits is the leader of a so-called 'vigilante' group in east Belfast, the Sunday World can reveal. Nine years ago, fox-hunter Neil Pinkerton, of Clandeboye Street in the Templemore Avenue area of east Belfast, walked from court a free man when charges of animal cruelty against him were withdrawn. And today he is better known as the main man in the recently formed East Belfast Division One group which operates as a quazi-police force which challenges migrant men walking the streets. The horrific pictures obtained by the Sunday World show Pinkerton holding a dead fox and an injured terrier which had just ripped the fox apart were deemed by Belfast Crown Court to be completely within the law. The Beast from the East Neil Pinkerton having watched his dog butcher a fox Pinkerton had been charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a dog and a fox on December 28, 2016. He faced a third charge of causing the terrier unnecessary suffering by failing to treat or get it 'adequate'' veterinary treatment on January 25, 2017, the date it was seized by police at his home. The result shocked and angered animal rights campaigners. Campaigner Danny Barclay said: 'Recent polls show 84 per cent of people here want to see hunting live deer with dogs banned and 76pc want hunting foxes banned, with 54pc under the misapprehension it is already illegal here,' Danny said. 'Hunting is not pest control, it isn't man versus beast, and it isn't providing a service to the countryside. It is an abhorrent 'hobby' for those with a concerning bloodlust looking to revel in watching as an innocent animal is ripped to shreds.' Neil Pinkerton seen confronting a migrant man Neil Pinkerton seen confronting a migrant man The Sunday World can today reveal that Pinkerton has pulled the plug on cooperation with another anti-immigrant group run by fellow east Belfast man Steven Baker. Baker had called for a mass rally on Saturday afternoon outside the Chimney Corner Hotel on the outskirts of Glengormley. Baker accused the hotel of providing accommodation for dozens of migrants, who Baker claimed were soldiers. But Pinkerton (37) slammed some of those involved in organising the protest. He accused them of being publicity-mad and ego-driven. And late on Friday evening he posted the following notice on social media to publicly announce his group wouldn't be supporting the Chimney Corner demonstration: 'EBFT will not be attending the Chimney Corner Protest tomorrow, as it seems some egos are bigger than the movement. The movement is what we support NOT individuals.' Pinkerton's Division One group meet every night at Lewis Square off the Newtownards Road at around 10.30pm before heading out on a pedestrian patrol of the streets in the east of the city. Neil Pinkerton was charged with animal cruelty for this shocking image but managed to walk free from court Pinkerton was filmed challenging a black man sitting on a bench near the River Lagan. He aggressively ordered the individual – who was clearly in a state of fear – to leave the area immediately and not return. 'Hey boy, I don't want to catch you around our parks any more,' he told the man. 'Look at all the places there are in Belfast and yet you come over to our parks in east Belfast,' he said. And when the man asked Pinkerton for an explanation, he told him: 'Because you're not allowed to be hanging around our parks with our kids, do you understand?' Clearly in shock, the man explained that he wasn't working and had a lot of time on his hands. 'I don't do anything.' the man told Pinkerton But dismissing his explanation, Pinkerton told him: 'No more hanging about east Belfast okay?' In other footage members of Pinkerton's group can be heard demanding to see migrants' identity papers before ordering them off the streets. Pinkerton is well known in east Belfast where he purports to be a dog breeder specialising in XL Bullies and terriers. He allied with another east Belfast far-right anti-immigration activist, Steven Baker. Baker first came to public notice during the Covid crisis and he was convicted in court of contravening lockdown rules. Together Pinkerton and Baker established The Great Province-wide Protest NI, which they planned to turn into a mass anti-immigration movement. And they received support from loyalist Mark Sinclair, who also operates under the name of Freedom Dad. Loyalist Mark Sinclair However, six weeks ago the Sunday World revealed that Sinclair, from the Village area of south Belfast and a relative of Shankill Butchers killer Billy Moore, had been jailed for 17 years in Scotland for a string of bank robberies. On Thursday evening, Mark Sinclair accompanied members of the East Belfast Division One group as they paraded the streets of east Belfast after dark. He called on members of the public to join them. But after hearing a split had taken place between the two east Belfast anti-migrant factions, Sinclair was quick to distance himself. He said: 'I'll be going to the Chimney Corner demo, but I won't be reporting on it. I like loyalist groups to stay together.' It was reported that yesterday afternoon's Chimney Corner protest was poorly attended. Vigilantes prowling the streets of east Belfast The PSNI has condemned the vigilante patrols in east Belfast in the strongest possible terms. A senior officer called it 'racism, pure and simple'. Superintendent Gavin Kirkpatrick said: 'We are aware of a number of videos circulating on social media of men 'patrolling' east Belfast streets and confronting members of the public. 'I am very concerned about the actions of these groups. Their own videos show them stopping, searching and intimidating wholly innocent members of the public, apparently based on nothing more than the colour of their skin. It is racism, pure and simple. 'Such activity is not protecting this community. It is attempting to control it. 'I want to encourage anyone who has been confronted by these groups to come forward and report it to police. We will robustly deal with any offences reported to us. 'We will not tolerate any kind of vigilante activity and I caution anyone involved in any such 'patrolling' to stop. It is the responsibility of the Police Service to enforce the law in Northern Ireland,' he said. Supt Kirkpatrick added: 'In the coming days we will be deploying additional officers to east Belfast to provide reassurance to the public and monitor the activities of these groups.' Yesterday, we made attempts to speak with Neil Pinkerton and Steven Baker, but at the time of going to print neither of them had returned our calls. A loyalist source we spoke to said none of the paramilitary groups based in east Belfast were involved in the vigilante patrols. But a police source said he believed loyalists had given the groups 'tacit' support at the very least.
