Get the inside track on the big stories from Liverpool Crown Court with our weekly newsletter Subscribe now Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

The victim of a violent drunken assault outside a city centre pub had to have his jaws wired together by doctors and was forced to live on a liquid diet.

31-year-old Adam Lewis had to have his painful smashed jaws wired shut for nearly two months after the attack outside the Hope and Anchor Pub in Maryland Street, Liverpool city centre, a court was told.

The victim lost two stones in weight due to the liquid diet, and in case he was sick had to carry a pair of pliers everywhere with him to cut the wires so he would not choke to death.

Jailing Anthony Hart, who punched and kicked Mr Lewis to the head as he lay on the ground, Judge Robert Warnock said the consequences for the victim were “truly horrifying."

The judge added that the victim, who described himself as “an emotional wreck”, may suffer permanent long-term consequences after the attack, in December last year.

In his victim impact statement Mr Lewis told how the wires in his mouth would catch on the inside causing him pain and he could not smile without discomfort.

He said his partner broke down in tears when the wires were finally removed and he smiled for the first time in seven weeks.

Eighteen inches of wire had been woven around his teeth and his gums had grown around them and they were torn open when the wires were removed without anaesthetic.

33-year-old Hart, a joiner, of Newmorn Court, Aigburth, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm and was jailed for 27 months.

Alongside him in the dock was Carl Murray, also a 33-year-old joiner, of Alwyn Street, Aigburth denied that charge, which was dropped, but admitted affray.

He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 20 days rehabilitation activities and 150 hours unpaid work.

Chris Taylor, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court that Mr Lewis was in the Hope and Anchor with friends and family on the evening on December 6 last year.

By the early hours of the next day they were in the courtyard area smoking and became aware of the two defendants.

There was friendly banter but it turned a bit abusive and everyone was then asked to move to the front of the building as it was closing time.

There was conversation between Hart and Murray, who were with others, and Mr Lewis’s group and an offensive remark was made towards one of the women in his group. This led to pushing and shoving and Murray threw a punch at a man in Mr Lewis’ group, said Mr Taylor.

CCTV footage of the incident was played to the court in which Mr Lewis was shown moving in to act as a peacemaker, along with members of staff.

The victim was pushed and punched by Hart and they ended up at the bottom of the stairs where he was again punched by Hart and kicked to the head as he lay on the ground.

He suffered multiple fractures to both sides of his jaws and his left cheekbone was also broken. It had been intended to insert a plate in his jaw bones but they were so fragmented they had be wired together with the upper jaw being used as a splint for the lower one.

Julian Nutter, defending, said the footage showed the victim apparently raining blows on Hart as they moved down the stairs and Hart stood his ground and fought back.

He said: "There is an element of excessive self-defence."

Mr Nutter said Hart was a hard-working man and had shown remorse and taken steps to address his behaviour.

He added: "He has made a big mistake once in his life."

Gerald Baxter, defending Murray, said he was also a hard-working family man who had pleaded guilty.