A drunk man launched a vicious attack on his ex-girlfriend's stepdad after being told football was 'just a game' after a Champions League final.
Anthony Griffin had been watching Liverpool play Real Madrid in the final with John Ashcroft at his home on May 28 last year, the Liverpool Echo reports. After Liverpool lost 1-0, an argument began between the victim and Griffin and Mr Ashcroft told him 'it is just a game'.
Edward Rattigan, prosecuting, said: "This angered the defendant, and he began to make threats and threw him to the floor." Griffin, 29, went on to punch him and gouge at his eyes in the brutal attack at the home on Coral Drive in Bootle, Liverpool Magistrates Court heard yesterday (February 1).
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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, of Bond Street, Pontefract, has a previous conviction for assault in 2010.
Steven Charters, defending, said the 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.
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