A clubber filmed himself viciously attacking a helpless student in a ruthless assault.
Not content with repeatedly punching his victim in the face and body, Joshua McLaughlan twice went back to continue the attack, this time kicking the stranger after a "red mist” descended.
“Not only was it a persistent, unlawful, violent, drunken assault, you were clearly trying to store images to almost glorify what you were about,” judge Recorder Andrew McLoughlin said.
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McLaughlan, a 26-year-old IT network engineer, left Joshua Ormrod lying unconscious in the street but he was detained by nearby door staff while other security guards gave first aid to the victim.
Liverpool Crown Court heard today (Wednesday, January 19) that Mr Ormrod was taken to hospital where he underwent a CT scan.
Although he had facial bruises and cuts, he miraculously escaped more serious injury.
“It is only by good fortune that he did not suffer any more serious injury. It could have been a lot worse,” the judge added.
CCTV footage of the attack, which occurred at 4.30 am on June 17 last year in Fleet Street in Liverpool city centre, was played to the cour.
It showed the attack which began with McLaughlan apparently acting in self-defence.
“I know you said it was the red mist but you returned twice to inflict further violence on someone who was prone on the floor, drunk and dazed,” said Recorder McLoughlin.
Jailing him for 16 months he added: “I would be failing in my public duty if you did not receive an immediate custodial sentence.”
McLaughlan, of Hawkshead Drive, Bolton, had pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm.
The judge said the CCTV footage showed Mr Ormrod stumbling around, accompanied by a woman, with McLaughlan then appearing and walking past the couple.
“I accept something was said that causes you to turn round and approach the two individuals and there appears to have been a confrontation between yourself and the victim," he said.
“It may be in his drunken state he moved towards you as if to punch you or make contact with you but doesn’t and thereafter there is a prolonged and persistent assault by you on him.
“There were numerous punches to the face and body landed by you and then you proceeded to knee and kick him so much that he goes to the ground.
“You then took a few steps back away from the incident only to return a second time and continue to kick him and punch him. At this stage he was prostrate on the floor and his friend made her best endeavours to keep you away from him.
“You also, even though you are in a drink yourself, withdrew your mobile telephone from your pocket and then proceeded to take photographs or film what has gone on so far.”
Recorder McLoughlin continued: “It doesn’t end there because you returned for a third time and I saw very clearly a full body blow kick to Mr Ormrod’s face rendering him unconscious or at least static on the ground in a prone position."
“You slapped him before making good your escape,” he added.
Rebecca Smith, prosecuting, told the court that when interviewed by police McLaughlan said Mr Ormrod had said something to provoke him and words were exchanged.
He claimed the victim threw a punch at him and “the red mist” took over so he punched and kicked the other man. He accepted it went beyond self-defence and apologised.
In an impact statement the victim said he had been confused about what had happened when he woke up in hospital. He was still in pain some weeks later and suffering from anxiety and disturbed sleep.
Michael Hegarty, defending, said that McLaughlan, who has one previous conviction for common assault in 2017, had pleaded guilty at first opportunity.
“He is thoroughly horrified by his actions and he cannot believe what he was seeing when he saw the CCTV," Mr Hegarty explained.
“He accepts his reaction was wholly disproportionate and it is a great mercy that the complainant was not seriously injured.”
Mr Hegarty said the defendant had not had a great start in life but had worked his way up and earns £40,000 a year as a network engineer for an IT company and he and his partner were hoping to buy a home together.
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