a day ago
Man blinded partner's dad in horror attack after Christmas Day dinner
The victim was rushed to hospital and lost vision in his left eye, while his wife and daughter sustained minor injuries.
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.
