Man ran naked down street after attack, court told (From Salisbury Journal)

Man ran naked down street after attack, court told

11:26am Tuesday 5th February 2013 in News By Journal Reporter

A MAN ran down a Salisbury street naked and covered in blood after being attacked in his own home, a court heard.

The victim was in bed at his Wilton Road home about 11pm on August 7 last year when Richard Turner, 24, burst into the room with three other men.

Turner punched him in the face, leaving him needing eight stitches for a four-inch cut, caused by a signet ring. To get away the victim ran out into the street, when a passer-by saw him and called the police.

Robert Shaw, defending, told Salisbury Crown Court the attack was not premeditated and Turner had gone to the home of the victim, a former friend, to collect some clothes.

Mr Shaw added that the fight was over buying drugs.

Hannah Squire, prosecuting, said the victim has been left “scarred for life” and has since moved away from the area because of the incident.

“The victim has been left with a nasty scar on his face and he is still very angry about the offence,” she said. “He still struggles to understand how friends could do this to him.”

Turner, who admitted unlawful wounding, has been in custody since the incident and Mr Shaw said he has been using his time productively.

Handing Turner a suspended prison sentence of 21 months, Judge Jane Miller said: “I am surprised to see considerable mitigation in this case. You wrote a letter saying you understand the seriousness and you have clearly been reflecting on the gravity of it.

“You said this has been a reality check and I hope it has been because if you carry on like this the custodial sentences are just going to get longer and longer.”

Turner, of Pullman Drive, was made subject to 18 months’ supervision and ordered to complete alcohol treatment and thinking skills programmes. He was also ordered to pay £250 compensation.