Drunken thug's terror rampage

Peter Derbyshire of Bolton, fuelled by a cocktail of drink and drugs, targeted 74-year-old Joseph Casey when he spotted him walking through the streets of Middleton with his dog.

He smashed Mr Casey to the ground and kicked and stamped on him causing appalling injuries, including brain damage and now he needs 24-hour-a-day care in a nursing home.

At Manchester Crown Court Derbyshire was jailed for eight years, after admitting causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

But afterwards the victim's three sons, Glen, Alan and Ian, said they felt insulted by the sentence.

"We can all accept what happened, but we cannot accept that sentence, because although my dad's alive his quality of life is dead," said Glen.

"Basically, the sentence is an insult, and the nightmare continues. You expect justice, but no justice has been done by that sentence.

"It makes you wonder whose side the Law is actually on. He deserved a life sentence, just like my dad got. Derbyshire could be out in five years with good behaviour, and I would hate to think he will be back on the streets.

"The sentence doesn't reflect the feelings of the family for this horrendous crime. To all intents and purposes he killed my dad, and his life is over. But he will be able to begin his again in just five years."

The three brothers had all been in court as Derbyshire, 30, of Claremont Court, Halliwell, Bolton, denied attempted murder, but admitted causing grievous body harm with intent.

Philip Curran, prosecuting, said the Crown accepted the plea "with great anxiety" and after discussions with the victim's family.

The Judge, Mr Justice Henriques, said it was clear the family was entitled to justice, and, in a unique exchange with prosecution counsel, said Derbyshire would be tried on the attempted murder charge if the victim's family wanted.

But after further talks with Mr Casey's three sons, Mr Curran said they were content that Derbyshire should be sentenced on the lesser charge.

Mr Curran then revealed how Mr Casey had been picked out at random as he walked his dog through the centre of Middleton one day last July.

In the minutes leading up to the brutal attack, Derbyshire, an alcoholic since he was 16, had smashed a shop window, tried to punch a teenage boy, lay on the ground at Middleton bus station punching the air, and cried openly as he told a taxi driver he was lost.

Mr Curran said it was clear that Derbyshire, who had taken a cocktail of vodka and prescribed drugs, was very drunk, and, after picking up a brick, followed Mr Casey when he saw him with his dog at Middleton market. Seconds later he attacked him. He may have bludgeoned him with the brick, but he was seen kicking and stamping on Mr Casey's head as he lay defenceless in a pool of blood.

Even as police arrived at the scene, Derbyshire continued stamping on Mr Casey's neck, and he was arrested after a violent struggle.

Blood was pouring from the victim's nose and mouth, and he was given oxygen before being rushed to hospital.

Mr Curran said before the attack Mr Casey, whose wife died nearly three years ago, was a mild-mannered man and fit and healthy. But the appalling violence he suffered now left him needing 24-hour-a-day care.

He had to have a tracheostomy to help him breath, his right eye socket had to be reconstructed, he had fractures to the jaw and both cheek bones.

But his brain was also damaged, and he now lives in a home where he is dependent on nursing care, and his family say his life has been "devastated". When quizzed, Derbyshire, who has a string of convictions including three for violence, said he could not remember the attack because he was drunk.

Stuart Denny, defending, said Derbyshire was shocked, appalled, and horrified by what he had done. He said: "He is thoroughly ashamed and full of remorse, and says he will never drink again."

He said Derbyshire had travelled to Manchester to meet a girlfriend, but had drunk two bottles of vodka, and while trying to get back to Bolton ended up in Middleton.

Jailing Derbyshire, the Judge said his drunken rampage had terrible consequences for his victim. "Witnesses describe you as being raging mad, and you were manifestly out of control," he said.

The Judge said the attack on Mr Casey was sustained and merciless, and had ruined his life. He added: "Your conduct demonstrates you are a danger to the public, and a psychiatrist says he cannot say when you will be safe to return to the community.

"I am satisfied it is necessary to pass a longer than commensurate sentence, because there is a danger you will commit offences in the future of a violent nature which may well result in serious injury to members of the public."

Last night, tenants at Claremount Court, in Bolton, said they were shocked to hear about the attack on the elderly man.

Mick Hopkins, 32, and 21-year-old Nicola Spendlove, live next-door to the ground floor flat once occupied by Derbyshire.

Nicola said: "He was always drunk. We sometimes thought he was dead because he would be collapsed in the hall at night and would still be there in the morning."