Man jailed for six years over homophobic glassing attack
A Cumbrian man has been jailed for six years after glassing a gay man in the face in a homophobic attack.
Shane Smitham, of Firth View, Workington, had been drinking at the victim’s house for several hours on January 8th before he “flipped”, the News and Star reports.
Carlisle crown court heard that he left the building but returned minutes later shouting anti-gay abuse.
He threatened to kill the 58-year-old victim and began punching and kicking him.
Smitham then began slashing at the victim’s face with a shard of broken glass.
Neighbours called police when they heard furniture being smashed and Smitham shouting that the victim was a “nonce”.
The victim suffered lacerations to his face and is permanently scarred. He also suffered broken fingers.
Smitham, who has 22 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent. His barrister, Alison Whalley, told the court her client needed to deal with his alcohol and anger issues.
