Man jailed for assault that left his victim blind in one eye

A man who repeatedly punched a man outside a Warrington night club, leaving him blind in one eye, has been jailed.

Joshua Saxton, 21, of Marron Avenue in Orford, Warrington, threw a volley of punches at the forty-year-old victim in the incident, which happened around 2am on 19 November 2023.

The victim was acting as a peacemaker after an argument started between two groups outside a Warrington town centre night club and he intervened when his godson was attacked by another man.

Saxton punched the victim in the face, causing him to stumble away holding his eye and clearly in agony.

Saxton then ran after him and punched him repeatedly until he fell to the floor. The victim tragically lost the sight in his right eye which has had life changing consequences for him.

Saxton ran away from the scene but was captured on CCTV and was arrested a short distance away with the victim’s blood on his shoe. He made no comment in interview.

Saxton pleaded guilty to affray on 6 August 2024 at Warrington Magistrates’ Court and on 17 September 2024, at Liverpool Crown Court, he was given an immediate jail term of ten months.

In a victim personal statement that was read to the court, the victim said that the assault had left him blind in his right eye and has had a devastating impact on his life.

He had enjoyed staying fit by visiting the gym, cycling, swimming and playing table tennis. All of these activities had now been severely restricted because of his partial blindness.

He had to give up his business as a delivery driver and had been surviving on Universal Credit.

In his statement, he said: “I had gone out for a few drinks to celebrate my godson’s birthday. I had tried to resolve an argument and keep the peace and at the end of the night I had lost the sight in my eye.

“If I was out again and I saw something happening to someone or someone needed help, I don't think that I would try and help that person.

“Through no fault of my own, trying to do what I believed was the right thing, has dramatically changed my life. I do not know who has done this to me and I could have walked past them in the street which also concerns me.

“This crime has affected my day-to-day life massively and the injury I received is life changing. I will have to live with this for the rest of my life.”

The family of the victim agreed for the CPS to release an edited version of the CCTV to raise awareness of the dreadful consequences of assaults and drinking too much.

Callum Bryce, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said: “Joshua Saxton attacked his victim savagely, punching him repeatedly in a drunken rage even when it was clear that he had suffered a serious injury and was not able to defend himself.

“The impact on the victim has been substantial. His family are devastated and are keen to highlight how alcohol can provoke situations that leave innocent bystanders badly affected.

“The Crown Prosecution Service would like to thank the victim and his family for their co-operation in this prosecution and their dignity throughout.”