Dad jailed after committing his 435th offence

A repeat offender with a rap sheet in the hundreds chased another man through Birkenhead YMCA and battered him over an alleged cash debt.

Christopher Brunt, 42, punched David Goodacre repeatedly after he paid a visit to his room at the YMCA on Whetstone Lane, where they both lived, on February 18, 2033.

Brunt had demanded Mr Goodacre pay back some money he had borrowed - but when the 54-year-old told him he did not have it, he flew into a rage and punched him repeatedly about the head, knocking him unconscious.

He pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm at Liverpool Crown Court today, June 27.

Brunt, who has 56 convictions for 434 offences, slapped his victim's face and said "look what you made me do" after attacking him. He continued to beat Mr Goodacre after he regained consciousness, following him out onto the landing and punching him again.

When Mr Goodacre took refuge in his room, Brunt kicked the door open and punched and stamped on him.

Judge Michael Blakey said: “The victim sought help from staff who took him to the reception area and called an ambulance. [Brunt] came down with his bicycle, about to go out. [He] saw him, there was an exchange of words between them. [Brunt] then punched him twice to the face and had to be pulled off and stopped by the staff."

Mr Goodacre suffered cuts, bruises and abrasions in the "persistent" assault.

Sinead Fearon, defending, said Brunt had found himself homeless following the break-down of a 19-year relationship, and was suffering from drug addiction. She said: "Because of his drug misuse, because of the situation he found himself in, he lashed out."

She added that Brunt had since managed to secure his own accommodation on Grange Mount, Birkenhead, and that he hoped to return to work as a roofer.

The judge said: "This offence was in fact an unprovoked attack. It was a persistent assault upon somebody older than you, who was offering you no resistance whatsoever, and in many ways it was quite a vicious attack. Thankfully the injuries sustained by Mr Goodacre were not that serious.

"It seems to me appropriate punishment can only be achieved by immediate custody given the severity of the attack."

He sentenced Brunt to eight months in prison.

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References

1. ^{^} Parking row turns to knife attack (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
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