A MAN delivered a “heavy and full-on” blow to a cyclist’s face, leaving him with a fractured jaw and partial sight, in an early morning attack in Bournemouth.

Daniel Martin McInerney, aged 30, of Hazelmere Drive, Northolt, Middlesex, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm on Andrew Ntiamoah in the Lower Gardens on May 31, 2021.

He appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court for sentencing last Thursday.

Prosecuting, Mary Aspinall-Miles said the victim was riding through the gardens on a bicycle after a night out.

Ms Aspinall-Miles said he was cycling at around 5mph when he passed a group of people, causing them to split apart, at around 1.30am.

She said: “One of the group shouted ‘oi’, the victim turned around to see what the issue was. There was a verbal confrontation between the victim and one of the group. Whatever that verbal exchange was, when the victim and McInerney were in close proximity, it is plainly and obviously McInerney who is aggressive.

“Whilst he is backing away from the group, the defendant without any real provocation punches the victim hard and full-on to the face.

“Understandably he stumbles back and is pushed to the ground by this defendant. The defendant punches him again with great force and precision.”

Ms Aspinall-Miles said the victim lost consciousness, and initially didn’t want the police to pursue the case as he “wasn’t a snitch”.

Reading his victim impact statement, Mr Ntiamoah said he is now constantly looking over his shoulder, has a metal plate in his jaw and has partial sight in his left eye.

He said: “You look through two eyes, I look through one.”

He suffered a fractured jaw and eye socket as a result of the attack.

Mitigating, Jonathan Underhill said the defendant was “disgusted in himself” for the incident and he “let himself and his family down”.

He said McInerney was remorseful for the attack and wanted help addressing his problems.

The defendant had a number of previous convictions, including robberies and batteries.

Judge Brian Forster QC sentenced him to 28 months imprisonment for the assault.

He said: “This assault was totally unnecessary. Your first blow knocked him backwards, the blow has been described as being hard and full-on.“The victim was punched again when he was in a vulnerable position.

"As a result of the incident, the victim sustained serious injuries.What took place has had great affect on his confidence and has affected other members of his family. You must be sentenced to 28 months imprisonment.

"That is not a sentence I can suspend. Even if it was at a level where it could be suspended, I would not suspend it having regard to the serious nature.

“Only an immediate sentence of imprisonment can be imposed.”

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