Key Takeaways
- Dylan Dellot, 37, has been sentenced to three years and 11 months in prison for assaulting Patrick Gibbons, 24, outside a pub in County Road.
- Dellot punched Gibbons seven times, causing a significant brain injury and leaving him with severe disabilities.
- Gibbons’ life and the lives of his loved ones will never be the same due to the attack.
- Dellot has a history of violence, with 10 convictions for 11 offences, including carrying a weapon in public and common assault.
- The attack has had a devastating impact on Gibbons’ family, particularly his mother, who read a victim impact statement in court.
Introduction to the Case
Dylan Dellot, a 37-year-old man from Kirkby, has been sentenced to three years and 11 months in prison for a brutal attack on Patrick Gibbons, a 24-year-old man, outside a pub in County Road. The attack, which occurred on December 20 last year, left Gibbons with a significant brain injury and severe disabilities. The court heard that Dellot had been drinking and taking drugs all day without sleep before the attack, and had been barred from the pub where the incident occurred.
The Attack
The attack began when Gibbons, who was socializing with colleagues from work, approached Dellot, who was standing outside the pub with a pint glass. The two men became embroiled in a verbal exchange, although the particulars of the argument are not known due to Gibbons’ condition. Dellot then struck Gibbons to the face with the glass, causing it to break, and followed up with repeated punches, knocking Gibbons to the floor and leaving him unconscious. The prosecution said that Dellot connected with at least seven punches during the attack.
The Aftermath
Gibbons regained consciousness and was taken home by his uncle, but collapsed two hours later and was taken to hospital, where he underwent life-saving surgery. He has since had four different operations and remains in a specialist rehabilitation unit under deprivation of liberty safeguarding. The court heard that Gibbons’ condition has not improved significantly, and he is likely to remain with severe disability in the long-term. He has ongoing speech difficulties, has to be fed through a tube, and uses a wheelchair for mobility.
The Victim’s Family
Gibbons’ mother, Joanne Fairbrother, bravely read a victim impact statement to the court, describing her son as a good role model who worked hard and set a standard for the younger members of their family. She said that her son was always an active boy, full of love and light, and that the attack had ended his life as he knew it. She added that the man who attacked her son could have walked away after the first strike, but chose to continue hitting him until he was knocked to the floor.
The Defendant’s History
The court heard that Dellot has a history of violence, with 10 convictions for 11 offences, including carrying a weapon in public and common assault. He was subject to a suspended sentence on the assault conviction at the time of the attack on Gibbons. The court also heard that Dellot had pleaded guilty to the alternative count of section 20 inflicting grievous bodily harm two weeks before he was due to stand trial.
The Sentence
Sentencing Dellot, Judge Charlotte Crangle told him that Mr. Gibbons had taken issue with something he had said and had run towards him, but that when he reached him, his hands and arms were by his side and he was not offering immediate violence. The judge said that following the initial punch, Mr. Gibbons was backing away with his arms by his side, and that there was no part of the footage where he threw a punch at Dellot. Judge Crangle sentenced Dellot to three years and 11 months in prison for the assault and for breaching his suspended sentence.
Conclusion
The attack on Patrick Gibbons has had a devastating impact on his life and the lives of his loved ones. The sentence handed down to Dylan Dellot reflects the severity of the crime and the harm caused to the victim. The case highlights the importance of addressing mental health difficulties and the need for individuals to take responsibility for their actions. It also serves as a reminder of the consequences of violence and the impact it can have on individuals and families.