A "joke of a sentence" has been slammed after a thug was allowed to walk free.
Steven Lowry, 38, walked free last Friday, having been given an 18 month suspended sentence after he "smashed" the face of a man who had bought him a drink only moments earlier on Sunday, April 16. Liverpool Crown Court heard how Lowry, from Noctorum, was at a nightclub on Market Street, Birkenhead, when either he or victim Daniel Fell bumped into the other in the bathrooms.
Lowry was aggravated, but the pair managed to talk it over and after the victim even bought him a drink which they drank at the bar. Later on as both men seemed to be leaving, "something was said" and CCTV showed Lowry approaching his victim.
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Lowry raised his arm "at one stage," and then "without any warning whatsoever" he brought his elbow down on his victim and "smashed him in the face." Fell was left with a "number of injuries to his face." These included a fractured cheekbone which "he still suffers with to this day."
Lowry was given a 12 month jail sentence suspended for 18 months after pleading guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He was also ordered to commit to a rehab activity requirement for 30 days, an alcohol abstinence meeting requirement, 70 hours of unpaid community work and must pay £200 in compensation.
Lowry has multiple previous convictions, including convictions for battering an ex-girlfriend and leading police on a 70mph chase while serving a suspended sentence. The car drove through red lights and when it slowed down a passenger jumped out of the still moving vehicle, followed by Lowry before the car hit a single decker bus, causing it "significant damage." At the time, he had seven previous convictions for 11 offences.
The decision to allow Lowry to essentially walk free has been called a "joke of a sentence." Commenting on the ECHO website, one reader said: "If it was a first offence, even then a suspended sentence is lenient but with his previous, at least five years should be appropriate."
Commenter 'Anthony McMahon' said: "Wondering whether he might have been sent down if the prisons were not full and the judges are being told to issue more community sentences. [Courts] should bring in a change were suspended sentences are only for first time offenders."
Another reader, 'Truthseeka,' said: "Wow, another case of the victim being let down by the courts. This lad should have been away for a five spot at least for this attack. Where is the deterrent for this scum?"
Another reader said: "The British justice system, like everything else, is a joke."
One reader commented: "[He] should be jailed but the government are telling judges to give suspended [sentences] instead, as all the prisons are all full."
Another wrote: "What a horrible disgrace. He is the reason many good people swerve town because of horrors like him."
On Facebook, Karren Mac said: "Joke of a sentence. I f****** hate bullies."
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