Man gouged dad's eyes after being told football 'just a game'

02 February 2023 , 10:53

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Anthony Griffin appeared at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Wednesday (Image: Liverpool Echo)

A man launched a drunken attack on his girlfriend’s step-father after being told “it’s just a game” following the Champions League final, a court has heard.

Anthony Griffin appeared at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Wednesday to be sentenced for causing actual bodily harm.

Edward Rattigan, prosecuting, told the court that on May 28 last year, Griffin had been watching Liverpool play Real Madrid in the final with John Ashcroft at the victim's home address in Bootle.

Griffin, 29, from Pontefract, was then in a relationship with Mr Ashcroft’s step daughter, and was drunk when the offence took place.

After the match ended with Liverpool losing 1-0, an argument between Mr Ashcroft and Griffin began, during which Mr Ashcroft said “it is just a game”.

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Mr Rattigan said: “This angered the defendant, and he began to make threats and threw him to the floor.” Griffin then launched an attack on Mr Ashcroft, punching him in the head and gouging his eyes.

He also attempted to strangle Mr Ashcroft, before members of the family also present intervened and managed to get Griffin off the victim.

Mr Ashcroft ran inside his house and locked the door, but Griffin followed, and was described as “screaming and banging on the window to get back inside”, but was unable to.

The victim was left with scratches to his face and sore eyes, but no serious injuries. Griffin has a previous conviction for assault in 2010.

Steven Charters, defending, detailed that this attack was out of character for Griffin, and he deeply regrets it. He said: “He showed vast amounts of mitigation, remorse and regret.

“He accepted that it should not have happened. It was a foolish, one-off spontaneous event. It must be pretty awful to have such an offence occur in your own home.”

In sentencing, District Judge James Clarke said: “Choking is the most significant feature to the assault, but I accept this was out of character.”

Griffin was sentenced to a community order for 18 months, and was ordered to complete 20 rehabilitation days and 200 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to complete 60 days of abstinence monitored by a tag, and pay compensation costs of £500, plus £120 in prosecution costs and £114 victim surcharge.

Kelly-Ann Mills