Mansfield man jailed for 15 years after fleeing country

A Mansfield man has been jailed for 15 years after assaulting a man and fleeing the country in a bid to evade arrest.

Neil Groves was one of four armed attackers who forced their way into a house in Ley Lane, Mansfield Woodhouse, and assaulted a 24-year-old before making off in cars parked nearby.

The victim sustained severe injuries including a fractured skull and a number of wounds to his face and body.

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It happened on 1 May 2010 with Groves going on the run to Ireland just days after the incident.

The 48-year-old, who was originally from the Mansfield Woodhouse area, was arrested by Irish authorities in connection with a cannabis grow and sentenced to four years in prison.

Detectives from Nottinghamshire Police successfully applied for a European Arrest Warrant and after serving his sentence, Groves was extradited to the UK in November last year.

He was charged with grievous bodily harm and one count of affray, in connection with a separate assault where two men were injured at a Mansfield bar on 30 April 2010.

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Groves denied both offences but was found guilty following a trial at Nottingham Crown Court.

He was sentenced on Friday (28 March) to 15 years for GBH and two years for affray, the sentences are to run concurrently.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Gowan said: “Groves violently attacked a man in his own home, leaving him with injuries that not only threatened his life but have had a lasting impact.

“In a bid to evade arrest he then fled the country and continued his criminal activity in Ireland.

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“Despite the distance, and the time that has passed since the attack, a dedicated team of officers have remained determined to bring him to justice and the fact that he was extradited and is now facing a lengthy stretch in jail is testament their work.

“I hope the fact that Groves is now behind bars, the last of four men to be convicted for the attack, will bring some final closure to the victim in this case.”

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