A thug stabbed a teenager in the eye with a crossbow before trying to bribe him to drop the charges.
James Moreton, 17, confronted his 18-year-old victim on a footbridge close to Glenburn Road and Windrows, in Skelmersdale, on January 10 before punching and kicking him in the face. Moreton, formerly of Fairstead, then jabbed him in the left eye with a crossbow.
The court heard the victim didn't think he was seriously injured at first, but he later ended up in intensive care. He had to be put in an induced coma for six days after contracting meningitis and suffering fractures to his skull and orbital bone.
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After being arrested and charged, Moreton was remanded in custody. While on remand, Moreton tried to get his victim to drop the charges after an associate contacted him making threats and they also offered money.
Moreton pleaded guilty to section 18 wounding with intent, possession of an offensive weapon and attempting to pervert the course of justice. He also pleaded guilty to an unrelated offence of threats to commit damage against an ex-partner.
At Preston Crown Court on Wednesday, October 11, Moreton was given a custodial sentence of seven years and nine months.
Judge Richard Archer deemed him a dangerous offender which attracted an extended sentence. He will have to serve two thirds of the sentence before being eligible for release.
Detective Sargent Lee Jamieson of Lancashire Police said: “The sentence given to Moreton should serve as a deterrent to criminals who use high levels of violence against innocent members of the public. Moreton not only went out and committed this violent offence, but while on remand facilitated a course of conduct to try and bribe the victim and threaten him with violence to drop the charges and to threaten to have someone’s house damaged.”
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