A man who battered a dad with a metal wrench in front of his children wept as he was jailed for over six years.
John Leach, 34, struck Gary Rigby twice over the head following an argument at a Bonfire Night fireworks show.
The thug with 21 previous convictions for violent crimes, including common assault, actual bodily harm, robbery, affray, threatening behaviour and attacks on police and emergency service workers, sobbed throughout his hearing at Liverpool Crown Court.
The Liverpool Echo reported that the attack happened in front of Mr Rigby’s girlfriend and two young children, and left the dad “unconscious and bleeding” on the ground.
He was rushed to hospital with injuries including a skull fracture, a bleed on the brain, a deep 10cm gash to his head which required stapling and an abrasion to his left knee.
READ MORE: Parents left speechless by daughter’s selfless act after sister’s tragic death
The court heard that Leach, of Colworth Road, Speke, left the scene in his girlfriend’s car, and was tracked down by police after witnesses reported her number plate.
He pleaded guilty to Section 18 wounding – grievous bodily harm with intent.
Prosecutor Graham Pickavance told the court the incident came about as both Mr Rigby and his family, and Leach and his girlfriend, were leaving a fireworks display at Moreton Hills Golf Centre.
Leach’s girlfriend drove her Renault Captur in reverse the wrong way down a one-way road, and the victim – who was walking with his children – shouted at her that she was going the wrong way.
Leach, who was a passenger, then got out of his girlfriend’s car and argued briefly with the victim before getting back inside.
As they drove away, Leach shouted: “I know who you are, Gary Rigby”, and “I’ll find out where you live. This isn’t over.”
Mr Rigby reportedly chased the vehicle for a short distance before returning to his family, and they continued to Morton train station, where they saw the Renault Captur parked at the side of the road.
Leach went to the boot of the car and armed himself with a metal tool, believed to be a wrench, which he used to beat Mr Rigby over the head.
Judge David Swinnerton told him: “You are lucky, and he is lucky, you did not kill him. That would have had devastating effects for his family, and for you – you took that risk.”
David Polglase, defending, said the 34-year-old had shown “genuine remorse and a degree of genuine insight into his behaviour”.
But Judge Swinnerton said: “Plainly looking at your record, the number and variety of violence offences… I come to a conclusion that there is a risk of you committing further offences.
“You accept you have a short temper. You have a short fuse, so you are likely to overreact with violence in circumstances such as this.”
He sentenced Leach to six years and three months in prison, with an extended licence period of four years, taking his total sentence to 10 years and three months.
