Help Sitemap Home Skip Navigation Contact Us Disability Statement

 
 
Friday, 29th August 2008

Premium Article !

Your account has been frozen. For your available options click the below button.

Options

Premium Article !

To read this article in full you must have registered and have a Premium Content Subscription with the n/a site.

Subscribe

Registered Article !

To read this article in full you must be registered with the site.

Man, 36, can only go to the pub with mum or dad



Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image

A Lancashire man who left a pub customer with a fractured eye socket in an unprovoked attack has been banned from every pub and club in England.
Schizophrenic Lee Gooch, aged 36, was warned he will be immediately jailed if he steps into a pub or nightclub - unless he is with his mum or dad.

The judge who gave him a suspended sentence praised the "extraordinary generosity" of the victim of the attack, Gary Halligan who, after learning of Gooch's mental health problems, expressed sympathy for his condition.

Robert Platts, prosecuting, said Mr Halligan was a customer in The Railway pub at Chorley when he was attacked in January last year.

He had gone to the pub toilets where he was confronted by Gooch who suddenly began to punch and kick him, Mr Platts told Preston Crown Court.

As well as the fractured eye socket, the victim suffered a cut on his nose and his face.

Gooch, 36, of Mountcliffe Road in Chorley, pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding.

The court was told that for some years he had suffered from psychiatric problems and had "bizarre illusions" about people.

Richard Hunt, defending, said he tried to avoid situations where his illness could lead him into trouble and knew now he must continue to take his medication.

Mr Hunt told the court: "He will have to use his medication for the rest of his life. The victim of this attack has been very magnanimous."

Judge Christopher Cornwall told Gooch he had carried out a "very nasty attack" which resulted in a serious injury to his victim and in normal circumstances he would have received a prison sentence.

In view of his victim's "extremely generous expressions of sympathy" and his guilty plea, Judge Cornwall told Gooch the 51-week prison term would be suspended for a period of 18 months.

The judge also passed a Prohibited Activity Requirement for the 18-month period under which he is barred from all pubs and clubs unless accompanied by his mother or father in a family group.

Gooch was also told to pay compensation of £2,000 to his victim.

Judge Cornwall told Gooch: "If you go into any pub or club alone during this time you will probably end up having to serve the prison sentence."

>> Vote in our latest web poll

i-map

The full article contains 399 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 01 April 2008 7:43 AM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Preston
 
Prev
1
Next
1

brigpnefan,

preston 01/04/2008 14:33:50
Dear Mr and Mrs Gooch, don,t take him to the pub..he,s not a full shilling!
2

Old8oy,

London Fields 01/04/2008 16:14:34
I'm sure the four of them can enjoy a nice quiet pint?
3

PJ DA DJ,

PRESTON 01/04/2008 17:42:08
what is the so called judge thinking about?.Mr Gooch should you be drinking while your on medication? get the judge to take you for a pint,at his local.your parents might fancy a quiet night in!
4

eternal optimist,

01/04/2008 20:40:06
i'll invite him to a barbecue this summer and fill him with stella,he'll be great entertainment.
5

Ken Nicholls,

Sanbornton, USA 01/04/2008 22:03:27
Is this judge playing April fool or what!
Should'nt be allowed to drink at all, with his medication and booze, what next? Murder?
6

eternal optimist,

01/04/2008 22:35:57
ken,exactally!!
Prev
1
Next

 

Comment on this Story

 

In order to post comments you must Register or Sign In

 
 
 
  

 
 


Sister Newspapers:
Press Complaints Commission

This website and its associated newspaper adheres to the Press Complaints Commission’s Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then contact the Editor by clicking here.

If you remain dissatisfied with the response provided then you can contact the PCC by clicking here.