A thug who knocked a grandad over with an elbow to the face was banished from his trial due to his "absolutely disgraceful" conduct in court.
James Tully, 38, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday (June 9). He was convicted of assault resulting in actual bodily harm in a trial this week.
Tully had knocked a grandad to the floor with an elbow to the face in Newsham Park on May 1, 2022. The man had taken his granddaughter fishing at the park's lake and was approached by a drunk Tully who thought they had shouted at him.
READ MORE: 15 people who are banned from B&M, Home Bargains and other shops across Merseyside
Unprovoked, he then hit the 80-year-old man in the face with his elbow, knocking him to the floor. The blow also knocked out a tooth and caused the victim's mouth to bleed.
Tully ran off but was arrested nearby. In an interview, he denied committing the offence and claimed that the other party was drunk.
This was rejected by a jury, who convicted him unanimously. Tully then refused to attend his sentencing via video link from prison.
He was also tried in his absence. Judge Mr Recorder M C Blakey explained Tully was removed from the court "due to outbursts" and a lack of cooperation with the process.
The outbursts included directing misogynistic language to a barrister, before turning his ire towards the judge, threatening the dock officer, and spitting through the glass panel of the dock. Recorder Blakey described his conduct as "absolutely disgraceful".
He was not represented by a lawyer. The judge explained that numerous advocates had represented Tully during the process but they had to withdraw due to his actions.
Tully, who has 45 previous convictions for 134 separate offences, is currently serving a five year prison sentence for a robbery committed at Asda on Smithdown Road on September 9, 2022. For this offence, of Lowfield Road, Knotty Ash, was handed a nine month jail sentence. This will run consecutively to the sentence he is currently serving.
Join the Liverpool ECHO's breaking news and top headlines WhatsApp community
READ NEXT
Police issue update addressing 'understandable concern' as Huyton murder investigation continues
Purse thief's ironic response to OAP after she confronts him in Asda
