Michael Masson was instructed by the Crown Prosecution Service in the trial of Liam Loveick. The Defendant was charged with two counts of inflicting Grievous Bodily Harm, contrary to s20 Offences Against the Person Act 1861 during incidents in two city centre pubs, a fortnight apart.
In the first incident on 10th December 2022 the Defendant head butted the complainant inside the Pink Parrot Bar on Whitefriargate in Hull. Later on outside the bar, he punched the complainant breaking his jaw in two places. The Defendant claimed to have been acting in self defence.
In the second incident on Boxing Day 2022 the Defendant punched the second complainant to the face, breaking his jaw a short distance from the Hull Cheese Public House. The complainant fell heavily to the floor hitting his head on the concrete pavement, causing fractures to his skull and a bleed on the brain. This resulted in part of his skull having to be removed and for a time it was not certain the complainant would survive his injuries. The Defendant again claimed to have been acting in self defence.
Following a 5 day trial before His Honour Judge Bury involving the live evidence of 11 witnesses in addition to further written evidence, CCTV footage, agreed facts and a successful application for cross admissibility, the Jury unanimously found the Defendant guilty on both counts.
The Defendant was sentenced to a total of 6 years imprisonment.
The Defendant was represented by Stephen Robinson of Counsel instructed by Robinsons Solicitors.
Both Counsel were commended by the Learned Judge for their conduct of the trial.