Man jailed after headbutting brother's partner during homophobic attack in Skegness
A man who headbutted his brother's partner during a homophobic attack on Skegness seafront has been jailed for 18 months.
Luke Silcock, 27, left his victim with smashed glasses and a 10cm cut to the left side of his face after assaulting him outside Empire Arcade in Grand Parade on May 6.
Lincoln Crown Court heard the force of the blow caused the complainant to fall backwards into members of the public.
He later attended the urgent treatment centre in Skegness where he was treated for a broken tooth, a 10cm cut between his left eye socket and cheekbone, and reduced vision in both eyes.
Downloads from Silcock's phone showed a number of threatening messages, the court was told.
Silcock, from Skegness, also made a threat to visit his own mother's home and blow it up.
In an impact statement which was read out in court the victim said he required frequent hospital appointments for his injuries and was still suffering from blurred vision and nerve damage. The victim added he still feared that something might happen to him or his partner.
Silcock, of HMP Lincoln, admitted two charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and using threatening behaviour on 6 May. He also pleaded guilty to breaching a non molestation order relating to his own mother.
Neil Sands, mitigating, said he could not dispute the harm to victim fell in the highest category for the offence. But Mr Sands argued Silcock had been out of trouble for seven years and could be managed successfully in the community.
Mr Sands added Silcock had suffered his first taste of custody after being remanded into prison.
"He will have to comply or go back to Lincoln prison," Mr Sands submitted.
Passing sentence Recorder Graham Huston told Silcock he headbutted the victim as he walked towards his work after shouting homophobic abuse towards him.
Recorder Huston explained the assault was motivated partly by his hostility towards his sexuality.
"These are serious matters," Recorder Huston added. "The real issue is the anxiety with his vision. It is not known if that will go away."
A restraining order was also made which prevents any contact between Silcock and the victims in the case for five years.