Man who blinded 'peacemaker' outside club jailed

The family of the victim agreed for the CPS to release an edited version of the CCTV to raise awareness of the dreadful consequences of assaults and drinking too much.

A man who intervened to try to break up a fight was repeatedly punched and left blind in one eye.

The 40-year-old was attacked by Joshua Saxton, 21, near a nightclub in Warrington on 19 November 2023.

The victim had been trying to act as a peacemaker when his godson was attacked.

Saxton, who ran after the man and attacked him, admitted affray and was jailed for 10 months at Liverpool Crown Court.

'A devastating impact'

The Crown Prosecution Service said Saxon had fled the scene but was captured on CCTV and was arrested a short distance away with the victim’s blood on his shoe.

In a statement read to the court, the victim said the assault had had a devastating impact on his life.

He said his partial blindness had restricted him from keeping fit by cycling, swimming and playing table tennis, and he had had to give up his business and survive on Universal Credit.

"I had gone out for a few drinks to celebrate my godson’s birthday. I had tried to resolve an argument and keep the peace and at the end of the night I had lost the sight in my eye," he said.

"If I was out again and I saw something happening to someone or someone needed help, I don't think that I would try and help that person."

"Through no fault of my own, trying to do what I believed was the right thing, has dramatically changed my life," the victim added.