An innocent by-stander was viciously ‘glassed’ whe

An innocent by-stander was viciously ‘glassed’ when
he acted as peace-maker in a violent pub argument.

Lee Banham, 23, lashed out at David Rickwood then fled as
his victim bled heavily from a deep cut to his face, the Old
Bailey heard.

By the time police tracked down Banham weeks later, he had
armed himself with a fearsome sawn-off shotgun to ward off
possible revenge attacks from friends of his victim.

In court, he was jailed for almost four years after
admitting unlawful wounding, possessing a firearm without a
certificate and possessing 0.

25gm of cocaine.

The judge was told Mr Rickwood, 22, had been at the Brewery
Tap Tavern in Markhouse Road, Walthamstow, on June 19 this year
when he noticed a fracas starting nearby.

Banham and another man, who has never been traced, were
shouting violently at each other and appeared ready to break out
into an all-out fist fight, said Mr John Plumstead, prosecuting.

‘Mr Rickwood approached from the side with the intention of
calming things down and told Banham to “leave it out” – in calming
words.

‘Banham swung around, catching a blow to Mr Rickwood’s face.

The victim heard the sound of breaking glass.

‘
The defendant disappeared while other by-standers tended to
the wounded man’s injuries, which required specialist surgery.

Banham was arrested when he went to sign on for the dole on
July 16.

He had a small quantity of cocaine in one pocket.

A search of the house he shared with his common law wife and
two young children in Bemsted Road, Walthamstow, revealed a sawn
off shotgun and ammunition.

Banham told police: ‘It must be your lucky day – you nick me
for the GBH, find my whiz (drugs) and now you find the gun.

‘
Mr Plumstead said the defendant added a comment about the
officer’s career prospects.

A charge of wounding with intent was dropped after Banham’s
counsel argued that no forethought had gone into the glass
attack.

A further charge of possessing the shotgun with intent to
endanger life was also dropped.

Banham had claimed the gun was
to avert possible retribution attacks.

The Recorder of London, Judge Lawrence Verney QC, was told
the defendant was ‘gutted’ by the thought of the injury he
inflicted and now felt genuine contrition.

The judge told him: ‘You struck out at a man without a
moment’s thought when you had a glass in your hand and caused an
especially serious injury.

‘It may be that what you have done has a permanent effect on
Mr Rickwood.

‘The explanation given was you had too much to drink – that
is not an explanation that commends itself to the court.

‘The acquiring of the gun was done in sobriety.

Possession
of such an unpleasant weapon can never be excused.

‘There is no doubt that a sentence of custody is required.

‘
Banham did not react as he was sentenced to two years for
wounding Mr Rickwood and a further 21 months for the gun charge,
making three years and nine months in all.

ENDS