Cockermouth man jailed for vicious metal bar attack
Victim was left with multiple injuries and a bleed on the brain
A Cockermouth man has been jailed for violently attacking a man in public with a metal bar.
Mark Middleton, aged 32, of Towers Lane, was sentenced today (24 November) at Carlisle Crown Court to 18 months for Section 20 Grievous Bodily Harm.
The successful conviction follows an investigation into an incident which occurred on Wrens Lane, Cockermouth, on 22 May 2021.
During the early hours of the morning, following threats made by phone by Middleton, the victim was assaulted with a metal bar. Witnesses told officers that they had seen Middleton carry out a sustained assault, hitting the victim multiple times with a metal bar.
As a result of the attack, the victim suffered a bleed on the brain.
Middleton pleaded guilty to the offence at an earlier hearing.
Investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Lesley Frith, said:
“Firstly, I would like thank the victim and the witnesses in this case for their bravery in providing information which enabled us to establish the circumstances of this incident.
“Mark Middleton had threatened the victim before carrying out those threats. He equipped himself with a weapon in order to carry out a violent assault in public.
“The victim in this case required hospital treatment for the serious injuries he suffered. However, these injuries could have been even more severe given the sustained attack he was subjected to.
“Middleton is a dangerous offender who had shown a complete disregard to the safety of the victim, and the public, by using a weapon in a such a violent manner.
“Cumbria Constabulary does not tolerate violence and our officers will do all they can to ensure that violent offenders are identified and brought to justice for their crimes.”