A man slashed his uncle in the face with a sharpened dog tag after an argument broke out between them at a family party.
Paul Blackhurst, 29, launched the brutal attack on his relative after the pair became embroiled in a row at a pub.
The victim was left with an “irreversible and significant scar” following the assault, which happened in the presence of other family members.
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Blackhurst, of Knowles Street, Wigan, was jailed for three years and nine months at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday.
Blackhurst had joined his family at a party at the Jubilee Inn, in Litherland, where his uncle, William Lloyd, was also present, the Liverpool ECHO reports. A court heard the pair had a prolonged verbal altercation at the party at about 11pm, which resulted in Blackhurst striking Mr Lloyd in the face with the sharpened edge of a dog tag.
CCTV from the pub of the incident on December 18, 2021 was shown to the court, during which the men could be seen arguing, and a woman could be seen standing between them trying to stop the altercation. Mr Lloyd pushed Blackhurst in the chest, and he responded by spitting at Mr Lloyd’s chest, before stepping back, and consequently slashing Mr Lloyd in the face with a military style dog tag that was attached to his keys.
It could not be determined by investigators whether the edge had been sharpened purposefully or simply due to the metal being worn down. Mr Lloyd can then be seen putting his hand to his face, as blood dripped down and onto his hand.
Members of the public rushed to his aid and used towels to put pressure on the wound, and Mr Lloyd removed his own shirt and held it to his face. The wound has since healed fully but has left him with an “irreversible and significant scar”.
The court also heard that Mr Lloyd had made disparaging comments about Blackhurst's uncle, who raised him, and had recently passed away. Blackhurst left immediately after the assault occurred, and police arrived around ten minutes later.
Mr Peter Killen, prosecuting, told the court that the uncle and nephew met up the next day, where Blackhurst apologised and the pair reconciled. Mr Lloyd did not cooperate with police, and initially told them he did not know who had hurt him.
He later conceded it was his nephew, Blackhurst, but did not want to press charges or cooperate with the investigation. This resulted in a police callout to the public to find Blackhurst but he was not arrested until six months later, on June 23.
He pleaded guilty to wounding with intent, and was sentenced to three years and nine months in jail for the assault.
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