A balaclava-clad thug slashed a homeless man's face after learning he was not from the local area, a court has heard. Adam Plant, aged 25, launched a vicious attack on the victim, who was spending his first night at the Three Queens Hotel in Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire. The incident left the man with a 15cm facial wound and a fractured jawbone, causing lasting physical and emotional scars.
Details of the Attack
The court was told that on August 15, 2023, the victim was approached by a group of males dressed in black and wearing balaclavas. After a brief interaction, during which the group confirmed the victim was not from the local area, one of them slashed him on the left side of his face. The victim was taken to a hospital in Nottingham, where doctors discovered a fractured jawbone and a 15cm laceration to his cheek.
Arrest and Charges
Police officers located a group of males near the town's train station. One of them had blood on their hand. Plant ran from officers but was apprehended nearby. While being detained, he told officers, "take it off me," and a knife and sheath were discovered. Plant was also carrying a rucksack containing a silver knuckle duster and a serrated knife. He was arrested and commented, "I have done wrong," but later offered no comment in police interview.
Victim Impact
In a victim impact statement, the man said he often becomes upset and feels people constantly look at him. "Everywhere I go, people ask, 'What happened?' It makes me feel down," he said. The scar on his face constantly reminds him of the attack, and he noted that families even cross the street to avoid him. He needed two teeth removed and still experiences aches in his jaw. The attack has also left him worried about future relationships, as it has "changed" his life in a bad way.
Court Proceedings
Plant, of no fixed address, appeared in the dock wearing a grey tracksuit on Wednesday, May 13. He had previously admitted to carrying out the attack and entered guilty pleas to four offences: causing grievous bodily harm with intent, possession of an offensive weapon in a public area, and two counts of possession of a knife. His defence counsel, Stephen Hennessey, told the hearing: "There's no excuse for his behaviour, and he wholeheartedly accepts (what happened)." However, sentencing was adjourned by His Honour Judge Avik Mukherjee and is due to resume on Thursday, May 14.
