World News
Violent robber leaves victim with fractured eye socket and cheekbone
6:20pm Wednesday 22nd February 2012
A BRUTAL robber struck a Runcorn woman with such force, she suffered a fractured left eye socket and cheekbone and had to have her face re-built.
Fuelled with drink and drugs, Adrian Adams attacked Mrs Downes, aged 62, in her own home at The Common in Halton Village at 5.50pm on November 13, last year.
He hit her with a mirror and throttled her round the throat, demanding money, Warrington Crown Court heard on Monday.
As she lay bleeding on the floor, he kicked her in the back and then hurled her across the lounge over a glass-topped coffee table.
He fled with her laptop.
With blood pouring from her nose and only able to see out of one eye, she stumbled outside and cried for help.
Jailing him for nine and a half years, Judge David Hale said: “For Mrs Downes it was an ordinary day, walking her dog, coming home.
“She thought she was safe but she wasn’t because you were in the bathroom.
“You hit her with a mirror and continued to assault her causing her really serious injuries and considerable psychological injuries.
“That’s unforgivable.
“I am sentencing you for nine and a half years. You will serve half of that. Mrs Downes has to serve the rest of her life like that.
“She will never forgive you for the changes you’ve brought to her life.”
Adams, aged 41, of no fixed abode, admitted robbery and 10 other burglaries.
John Hedgecoe, prosecuting, said Mrs Downes had to have two titanium plates fitted, after x-rays revealed multiple fractures in her cheekbone.
He said: “She faces future surgery. She suffered double vision and pain at the back of her neck, top of her spine and right shoulder.
“She had difficulty eating, struggling to open her mouth.
“She had trouble concentrating, nausea, dizziness and headaches. She suffers from anxiety attacks and flashbacks.
“She was a very active member of the community and did a lot of charity work but is now afraid to go out on her own.
“She is concerned about staying in her bungalow for obvious reasons.”
Gary Lawrenson, defending, said: “My client is a man of few friends, something of a loner.
“That day he took sleeping tablets and had a lot to drink at the Castle pub.
“He climbed down the cliff with the intention of committing suicide.
“He wants to give up drugs and has already started with Alcoholics Anonymous.
“He is truly sorry for what he did. He wants to apologise and express his remorse.”
Mrs Downes sat trembling in court, supported by a police officer, as Adams was jailed.
DC Ciara Murphy, of Runcorn burglary team, said: “Adams preyed on a vulnerable woman in her own home, the one place where she should feel safest.
“The victim was traumatised by the incident and sustained serious injuries, which have required further treatment.
“The memory of that day will stay with the victim for a very long time.”