Barnstaple man jailed for 'senseless and brutal' attack

Drew Davey will serve 10 years in prison and three years on licence upon release, a judge confirmed

A man who assaulted three strangers in Devon has been jailed for 10 years.

At Exeter Crown Court, Drew Davey, 26, of Greenbank Road, Barnstaple, admitted two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and one of causing actual bodily harm.

Judge Stephen Climie said Davey had received a third off a possible 15-year sentence due to an early guilty plea.

On release, Davey will also face three years on licence as he is deemed a dangerous offender.

Repeatedly hit

The court heard how Davey had been out drinking after having an argument with his girlfriend, when, in the early hours of 16 August 2023, he entered sheltered housing at Lulworth, in Westward Ho!

Davey fell asleep in a shed in the garden of the care home but was disturbed by the two residents who had gone outside to smoke.

He reacted by launching an attack which ended in the kitchen, the court heard.

Two of the victims, who were vulnerable care home patients, were repeatedly hit over the head with a broom handle before Davey was disturbed by a staff member, who went to investigate the noise and was hit in the face.

Although being injured himself, the staff member alerted police.

The residents were discovered with significant head wounds and taken to hospital in a serious condition, where they remained for a number of weeks, Devon and Cornwall Police said.

Davey was located in a garden close to the scene and arrested.

Defending, Anna Vigars KC said Davey had mental health issues and had no memory of what he did.

She said he was horrified when police told him what had happened and he was extremely remorseful.

'Horrific, senseless and brutal'

Deputy senior investigating officer Det Sgt John Crewe said he welcomed the sentence.

He said: "Mr Davey subjected three completely innocent members of the public to a horrific, senseless and brutal attack.

"Two of these men were already extremely vulnerable and it was luck more than judgement that these two men in particular didn't lose their lives."

Mr Crewe said he hoped the sentence "affords these men and their families a sense of justice of which they can try to rebuild their lives."