Man jailed after headbutt attack
Lancashire ConstabularyA man has been jailed for three years after he headbutted another man, leaving him with a bleed on the brain.
Paul Waite was seen on CCTV running towards his victim and headbutting him causing him to fall back and bang his head on the pavement, police have said.
In a victim personal statement, the man, who is in his 50s, said he now cannot sleep, feels socially isolated and feels unwell in crowded places.
Lancashire Constabulary said as well as the headbutting incident Waite threw two bottles he had retrieved from a bin, although he claimed he had made sure they were plastic rather than glass.
Waite, 50, of Cheltenham Road, Blackpool, admitted charges of Section 20 wounding and violent disorder and was jailed at Preston Crown Court on Monday
The attack took place on August 3 during the Blackpool disorder last summer.
Hundreds of people gathered in a demonstration in Blackpool on August 3rd where police and members of the public came under physical and verbal attack. Items were thrown at officers and police vehicles, and racist and offensive signs were used.
There was also serious disorder and looting in Hounds Hill shopping centre. Waite said he had gone to town for a beer festival and not to engage in disorder.
"Peter Waite not only clearly played a role in the disgraceful disorder which we saw in Blackpool on August 3rd but also caused serious injury to a man through his violent actions," Assistant Chief Constable Karen Edwards said.
"Such behaviour is not welcome in Lancashire and will not be tolerated in our county.
"A number of people have already been brought to justice for the role in the disorder and I welcome the sentence in this case."