Violent thug who jabbed broken bottle into victim's face gets five years - The Coventry Observer

Violent thug who jabbed broken bottle into victim's face gets five years

Coventry Editorial 17th May, 2017   0

A COVENTRY man who picked up a bottle and smashed it on the pavement before jabbing it twice into another man’s face is facing up to five years behind bars.

Daniel Whitehouse (28) of Fort Avenue, Coventry, pleaded guilty at Warwick Crown Court to wounding victim Sidney Mpofu with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm.

He was given what is known as an extended prison sentence of five years in jail, of which he will have to serve at least two-thirds before the Parole Board can consider his release.

Whitehouse will only be freed before serving the whole five years if it is considered safe to do so – and will remain on licence for the rest of that period and for a further four years.




Prosecutor Lisa Hancox said that on November 30 Mr Mpofu and Whitehouse, who knew each other through their respective girlfriends, were in the area around the Salvation Army Harnall Lifehouse in Coventry.

Mr Mpofu recalled he had had three cans of cider as he and Whitehouse were drinking together when he remembered a blow ‘coming out of the blue.’


Miss Hancox said CCTV recordings from the area showed there was some disagreement between the two men, during which Whitehouse threw a punch.

They struggled with each-other and ended up in the middle of the road before Mr Mpofu walked away back to the pavement.

But it appeared that Whitehouse would not let matters rest and approached him again, as someone stood between them trying to keep them apart.

Then as Mr Mpofu began to walk away, Whitehouse picked up a bottle from the pavement, and followed him for a few steps before bending down and smashing it on the ground.

He then lunged towards Mr Mpofu twice, jabbing the jagged remains of the bottle into his face, causing wounds to the area around both his left and right temples.

As a result, Mr Mpofu had to undergo an operation under general anaesthetic to remove glass particles from his wounds, which had extended into the facial muscle, and may suffer long-term scarring.

Miss Hancox added that Whitehouse had 39 previous convictions for 55 offences, including assault, affray, battery and possessing bladed articles.

Simon Hunka, defending, said: “This is by far the most serious offence he’s committed. The injury, thankfully, in this case is not at the top end.”

He said that, partly as a result of what Whitehouse saw when he was growing up, ‘fighting has been a big part of his life,’ adding: “He knows he has an issue, and he knows he has to deal with it.”

Jailing Whitehouse, Judge Andrew Lockhart QC told him: “You have a very bad criminal record.

“I have seen the video. You had been drinking, and no doubt taking drugs, and you quickly became aggressive.

“You pick up a bottle, and we see you smashing it on the ground before using it as a weapon, and you struck out more than once to his face with the jagged part of the bottle.”

He said he was satisfied Whitehouse was a dangerous offender who, in drink, presents a serious risk of causing serious injury or even death by further offences.

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