Sutton man blinded reveller in one eye by throwing plastic cup in busy club

Nottingham Crown Court was shown CCTV footage of "aggression, tension and friction" between Dylan Gipp and his victim in a Mansfield club, on October 24, 2021, at about 3am.

Blows were thrown inside the club and outside, after closing time, Gipp tried to punch the victim again before fleeing.

When his eye did not get any better, Gipp’s victim went to hospital two days later, and his mum reported the offence to police on October 30.

The court heard he has permanently lost 80 per cent of the vision in his left eye and initially withdrew his support for the prosecution before Gipp was charged in January.

In a statement, his victim said he “didn’t really get out of bed for a couple of weeks, lost a stone in weight and couldn’t drive”.

He had to stop playing football as he kept missing the ball and had to sell his go-kart. He now suffers from depression and sleeplessness and has to wear dark glasses in sunlight.

He has gotten more used to his loss of sight, but pain continues to flare up especially when he is stressed, the court heard.

The court heard Gipp, previously of Stoneyford Road, Sutton, has one previous conviction from 2018 when he received a referral order and a football banning order for throwing a missile at a football match.

Julia King, mitigating, said Gipp “didn’t directly smash the cup into his victim’s face”, but threw it from “some distance”.

“What has to be recognised is the seriousness of the injury and I can say nothing about that,” she said.

She said the judge could step back from a custodial sentence on the basis of his age, lack of previous convictions, and his remorse “as evidenced by guilty plea at the first opportunity”.

“This was a young man who made an entirely foolish decision, but without the intention to cause such a serious injury,” said Ms King.

Gipp, now aged 22, of Southwood Avenue, Sutton, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm, in March.

Sentencing him to 12 months in prison, Mr Recorder Stuart Sprawson told him: “The truth is you are responsible and you must take the consequences.”

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Matt Dumbrell, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This is a very sad incident which was sparked by a stupid argument and has left the victim permanently blind in one eye.

“Gipp may not have intended to cause such a serious injury, but his actions on that night will impact the victim for the rest of his life.

“It was no doubt at least partly caused by alcohol – which also played a part in the victim not immediately seeking attention from medical professionals.

“I would urge people to remember on nights out that one moment of uncharacteristic behaviour can completely change your life and the life of others.”