Bulwell man gets six year sentence for glassing man in town centre pub fracturing his jaw and leaving victim with permanent damage

A man suffered a ‘catastrophic’ injury when a glass was smashed into his face outside a Bulwell town centre pub, Nottingham Crown Court heard.

William Ramsay (27), of Longford Crescent, Bulwell Hall Estate, was given a six-year jail sentence after pleading guilty to wounding Neil Kelsall with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm.

Judge Michael Pert QC said Mr Kelsall, who is in his fifties, received a gaping wound which ‘looked like something in a butcher’s shop’.

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Sarah Munro, prosecuting, said both men were drunk at the time of the attack in the Moon and Stars on Lower Main Street on 5th March.

After something was said in the pub, Ramsay picked up two empty glasses from a table and invited Mr Kelsall to go outside.

Once there, Ramsay struck Mr Kelsall with one of the glasses with such force that it fractured his jaw as it shattered. Ramsay, who was also injured, asked for a tea towel, which he wrapped around his hand, when he went back in the pub.

Mr Kelsall made his way to Bulwell bus station and was comforted by members of the public who realised he was badly injured.

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Miss Munro said Mr Kelsall underwent an operation at the Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham. The wound extended from beside his eye to his jawline.

He suffered a loss of feeling in the left side of his face because of nerve damage and his mouth now drooped, making it look as if he had suffered a stroke. He had a problem eating and had to have five front teeth removed.

“This attack has changed his life completely,” said Miss Munro. “He is nervous around the public, even if he goes shopping.”

Ramsay was said to have a number of previous convictions and was on licence from a prison sentence at the time of the offence.

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Matthew Smith, mitigating, told the court that up to the offence, Ramsay had tried to improve his behaviour and had a good relationship with a probation officer.

He obtained work with a fencing company but lost his job because it was only seasonal employment.

He was upset by the death of his grandmother shortly before the incident and had missed her funeral because he was in custody. Also, his father was in poor health.

“He was an angry young man that night,” said Mr Smith. “His partner is standing by him and is talking positively of plans for the future. He feels genuine remorse for Mr Kelsall and is thoroughly ashamed of what he did.”

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