Dad left blind and had part of skull removed after man pushed him outside pub
A "drunk" pub-goer who left a dad blind in both eyes and forced him to move into a care home has been jailed.
Danny Sedgley, 32, inflicted "catastrophic life-changing" injuries on the victim when he pushed him with "full-force", causing him to fall onto a concrete pavement outside a pub. The plasterer, who worked alongside his deaf brother prior to the assault, fell unconscious, collapsing 'like a ragdoll' after the horrifying late-night attack.
The extent of his injuries was so severe that medics had to remove part of his skull. Tragically, he has not been able to see his daughters since his surgery due to fears that his altered appearance will "scare them", heard Wolverhampton Crown Court.
The victim is now selling his home to afford the 24-hour support he requires in a care home for the rest of his life. Sedgley, who had been under the influence of cocaine at the time of the incident, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison.
Both men were at The Lighthouse Pub, in Cradley Heath, and left together around the last orders on October 8 last year, reports Birmingham Live. Courtroom attendees were shown footage of the attack, which prosecutor Olivia Appleby described as "quite distressing". The video captured Sedgley pushing the victim once, resulting in him toppling backwards and landing on the floor just after 11.20pm.
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Sedgley was seen pulling him back to his feet afterwards. A third man, uninvolved in the attack, was spotted collecting items that had fallen from the victim's pocket. The victim, visibly "staggering", was surrounded by men outside the pub.
Seven minutes into the attack, Sedgley delivered three brutal headbutts to his victim. Despite staggering into the road, the victim managed to stay upright until he was shoved a second time, causing him to fall and lose consciousness on the pavement, said Ms Appleby.
Sedgley, from Halesowen, was captured on camera lifting the unconscious man from the ground and adjusting his body after the assault. It was suggested that he was attempting to place the victim in the recovery position.
Emergency services rushed the victim to the hospital as he complained of severe headaches, vomiting, and periods of amnesia. Medical exams revealed a brain bleed, brain bruising, a fractured skull, and a fractured spine.
On October 12, the victim suffered a seizure, prompting doctors to perform emergency surgery. This involved removing a portion of his skull and inserting a hollow screw to monitor his condition, heard the court. The victim later underwent a tracheostomy to aid in weaning him off the ventilator he was on. Towards the end of November, he reported visual problems and was tragically informed that he had gone "completely blind".
The victim was transferred to a neurorehabilitation centre two months later, only to be rushed back to an emergency department following a seizure. He was subsequently "completely sedated" and admitted to an intensive care unit before being moved to Russells Hall Hospital.
The aftermath of the incident has forced the victim to permanently reside in a care home. He now faces a lifetime dependency on anti-epileptic medication as he "runs the risk of having further seizures", with his most recent one occurring just a week prior to the court hearing.
Ms Appleby, representing the victim, stated: "This is as bad as it could be for the victim. These are grave injuries and will result in life-long dependency care and medical treatment." Due to the severity of his injuries, the victim was unable to provide a statement about the impact of the attack. His sister-in-law stepped in to tell how his life had "changed dramatically", necessitating 24-hour care.
She told how her "hardworking" relative who was 'always willing to help' others, but now struggles with basic tasks such as using the toilet or taking a shower without assistance. A nurse is required to be at his bedside at all times.
In her statement, she said: "He was a fun-loving family man who spent time enjoying life. He enjoyed the outdoors. He was an independent person who worked from the age of 18 and always looked after himself."
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"He will always need some kind of care. He can't remember simple things like when family and friends visit him." The victim has not had a visit from his daughters for some time as he needs a plate fitted on the top of his skull. Without it "his appearance will scare them", she said. The sister-in-law added: "He will never see his children's, family's or friends' faces again. His life as he knew it is over, he will never be the same person again.
"His life is always going to be a challenge for him. He hasn't come to terms with losing his sight. He still believes he can look after himself. Everything he has worked for has been taken away from him. His life depends on what others can do for him, he will never be able to live the life he once knew."
Defending, Thomas Duggan said the two men had a "history of some difficulty" inside the pub. The victim was escorted out by Sedgley, who was asked by pub staff to do so and even called a taxi for him. However, the victim "did not want to get in it".
The situation escalated when "things got heated" and the victim uttered some "poor words" to Sedgley - who was "larger physically". Both men were also in 'fighting stances' outside. Mr Duggan said: "I have seen the footage now nearly a dozen times and it is still tough watching. He should have left, he accepts he should have left."
"He was waiting to get the victim into a car and then he pushed him. He pushed him with force to let him know who was in charge."
The victim's foot reportedly "slipped off the kerb", causing him to "hit the ground in a way that could not have been envisaged," said Mr Duggan. The accused, Sedgley - who is not considered a threat to public safety and promptly called an ambulance for his victim - is said to be struggling with feelings of "shame, embarrassment and guilt".
Since the "impulsive, spontaneous and short-lived" incident, Sedgley has avoided any pub visits, added Mr Duggan. He penned a heartfelt apology letter to his victim and has since started taking anti-depressants to cope with what he describes as the "nightmare from hell".
During sentencing, District Judge Matthews pointed out that Sedgley's "out of character" attack occurred after an afternoon and evening spent "drinking alcohol and consuming cocaine". Both men were noticeably "worse for wear" before an "assertive" Sedgley began tensing his body while making "whatever point he was making".
District Judge Matthews continued: "You pushed him full-force sending him careering backward. He fell to the ground, his life will never be the same again." Sedgley, who had no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent.
* This article was crafted with the help of an AI tool, which speeds up The Mirror's editorial research. An editor reviewed this content before it was published. You can report any errors to [email protected]
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