Drinker left with fractured face after Wakefield Westgate taxi-rank attack
Thug thought couple had jumped in front
A man was left with serious facial injuries and needing thousands of pounds worth of dental treatment after being punched on a night out.
Cocaine-fuelled Liam Robe delivered the single blow while waiting at the taxi rank in Wakefield, knocking the victim unconscious.
He admitted a charge of GBH without intent at Leeds Crown Court this week, more than four years after the incident.
The victim had been enjoying a night out with his girlfriend on the night of March 13, 2022, when they decided to catch a taxi home, so got into the queue on Westgate.
When they got to the front and a cab pulled up, they were about to get in when Robe appeared and threw the punch at the man, who fell backwards onto the floor unconscious.
Police, who were across the street, saw the attack and came rushing over. Robe tried to claim that the victim had “grabbed” him.
Robe tried to flee but was quickly detained, still claiming he was attacked first.
The victim was taken to hospital by ambulance where it was found that he had a cut to his eyebrow and a fractured eye socket that required surgery to insert a plate into his face.
His teeth were also damaged and the court heard that he had spent £12,000 to put them right.
Robe, now 27, gave a largely no-comment interview at the police but admitted drinking to excess that night and taking cocaine.
He has no previous convictions.
Mitigating, John Crawford, said Robe had been in the taxi queue himself and had followed a cab that had driven past, so Robe returned to the queue to spot the victim getting into the next vehicle.
He suggested that it was more of an explanation rather than excuse for the needless attack that followed.
A probation report found that Robe, of Horton Avenue, South Shields, Tyne and Wear, could offer little explanation for his reaction but admitted drinking and taking drugs that night.
The report suggested he had now stopped drinking regularly and has stopped taking cocaine.
Judge Richard Mansell acknowledged that Rober had not offended since that night more than four years ago.
He gave him a 10-month sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered he complete 15 rehabilitation days with probation.
No order was made for compensation due to Robe being unemployed.