A drunk man who knocked a woman out cold and broke her nephew’s finger by biting it walked free after she pleaded with a judge not to deprive his kids of their dad.
Liam Wharton launched a sickening attack on Debbie Peers after she tried to defuse an argument at a party on September 8, 2019.
The 31-year-old also bit Ryan Peers, his long term friend and Mrs Peers’ nephew, so hard on the finger, he broke it.
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Wharton had been at a party at the home of Ryan Peers' parents on Horseshoe Drive in Fazakerley when he became involved in a drunken argument with another guest.
He was ejected and escorted to his nearby home by Mr Peers but returned a short time later and began acting aggressively in a confrontation which then spilled outside.
Ken Grant, prosecuting, said Debbie Peers, who did not know Wharton, followed him out the house and had attempted to calm him but he attacked her.
Mr Grant said: “He punched Debbie Peers with force in the face, knocking her out.
“She then fell to the floor.
“It must have been a powerful punch because of the injuries she suffered, with her jaw being broken in numerous places.”
After this, Wharton became involved in a scuffle with Ryan Peers’ father Brian and, when Ryan Peers came to assist, Wharton bit him on the finger with enough force to fracture it.
Mr Grant said Ryan Peers’ injury required only limited treatment but Debbie Peers later required surgery involving the insertion of multiple plates and bolts into her jaw.
She has since spent more than £2,000 on dental fees and was told further treatment to remedy her dental problems would cost more than £5,000.
In a statement to the court, Ms Peers said she was self conscious about her appearance and said she still had problems with a loss of sensation in part of her mouth, as well as dizziness.
She said: “I still suffer from dizzy spells and on Christmas Eve, while trying to put my shoes on, I blacked out.”
Christopher Stables, defending, said Wharton expressed deep remorse for his actions and read out a letter in which he said he could not believe what he had put the Peers family through and said he was ashamed by his behaviour.
In his letter, Wharton said: “I wish I could turn the clock back so none of them had to go through this.”
Mr Stables said Wharton was the main breadwinner for his family and said his partner and two young children would likely lose their house if he went to prison.
Wharton had initially denied wounding Ms Peers and assaulting Mr Peers but pleaded guilty on the day his trial was due to start.
Prior to sentencing Debbie Peers, who was in court, asked Judge Clement Goldstone QC to spare Wharton from jail.
In an emotional appeal to the court, she said his children would bear the brunt of any prison sentence.
Ms Peers said: “I want him to be punished in other ways but I do not want his children to not have their father with them.
Judge Goldstone thanked Ms Peers and told Wharton she had behaved towards him in a way he did not deserve.
Addressing Wharton, Judge Goldstone said: “Her attitude, whilst it did not influence the way I am dealing with you, is one which I can only describe as refreshingly magnanimous and one which you should be entirely grateful for, though it is one you do not deserve at any level.
“She, unlike you, has guts.”
Wharton, of Alt Side Court, Liverpool, was sentenced to 21 months in prison, suspended for two years.
Judge Goldstone ordered him to pay £10,000 in compensation to Ms Peers and £1,500 to Ryan Peers.
He will also be required to undertake 30 rehabilitation days and pay the victim surcharge as well as prosecution costs.
