Pub attacker’s sentence cut

A drunk who punched and kicked his victim and left him in a pool of blood in pub toilets has had his jail term slashed on appeal.

Steven Clarke (49), of Nordens Street, Chadderton, attacked Robert Winstanley at the Sun Mill pub in Chadderton. He was jailed for six years at Manchester Crown Court in January but yesterday had the sentence cut to four and a half years.

Mr Winstanley (55) had gone to the pub in Middleton Road with his partner Diane Foy in July 2013.

At 6.30pm, Miss Foy said she felt uncomfortable as Clarke was staring at her”, Judge Jeffrey Pegden QC told London’s Appeal Court.

Mr Winstanley asked Clarke to stop, and when he went to the toilet later, Clarke - who had denied staring, came in and there was a confrontation. Clarke punched him in the eye and the victim fell down, when Clarke continued punching and kicking.

Mr Winstanley was found slumped over the urinal in a pool of blood. He needed 12 stitches for three wounds.

Clarke, who said he had been provoked, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent.

His barrister, Alex Langhorn, argued his punishment was far too tough, and while Mr Winstanley’s injuries were “deeply unpleasant”, treatment and continuing effects were limited.

Judge Pegden, sitting with Lord Justice Treacy and Mrs Justice Cox, described it as a “sustained attack’”

But he said this was offset by his lack of previous convictions and his remorse.