Liverpool fan raging at defeat gouged dad’s eyes after saying it’s ‘just a game’
A man had his eyes gouged by his step-daughter’s then-boyfriend after telling him that the Champions League final was “just a game”.
Liverpool Magistrates' Court heard how Anthony Griffin, of Bond Street, Pontefract, attacked John Ashcroft as they watched Liverpool and Real Madrid play in the final last year.
Prosecutor Edward Rattigan told how the attack unfolded at Mr Ashcroft’s home on Coral Drive, Bootle, on May 28.
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Griffin, 29, has now been sentenced to a community order for 18 months and was ordered to complete 20 rehabilitation days and 200 hours of unpaid work for causing one count of causing actual bodily harm.
As well as this, Griffin has to complete 60 days of tag-monitored abstinence and pay compensation costs of £500 as well as £120 in prosecution costs and a £114 victim surcharge.
Griffin was drunk when the attack took place, sparked by Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid and an argument breaking out between the two men, with Mr Ashcroft telling Griffin that it was “just a game”.
Mr Rattigan said: “This angered the defendant, and he began to make threats and threw him to the floor.”
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He then attacked Mr Ashcroft, gouging his eyes, punching his head and trying to strangle him, theLiverpool Echo reports.
Griffin was pulled off the victim by family members who were also present, leading Mr Ashcroft to run inside chased by his attacker.
Mr Ashcroft shut the door preventing Griffin’s entry, leaving him “screaming and banging on the window to get back inside”.
The victim escaped with no serious injuries but had sore eyes and scratches on his head.
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Steven Charters, defending, said Griffin, “showed vast amounts of mitigation, remorse and regret".
He added: “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.”
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