Braintree Man jailed after attempted murder
He's been sentenced to 28 years in prison
A man has been jailed for 28 years after he attacked a bouncer outside a venue in Braintree.
Geoffrey Ryan had been drinking in The Lounge, in Market Square, on 9 September 2022 before the incident took place.
The 53-year-old arrived at the venue at about 4pm and initially seemed content.
However, as his drinking continued, he began to cause issues with other customers.
At about 9pm, two members of security staff arrived to start their shift and Ryan soon approached them and abused them.
Soon after, at about 9.30pm, a group of women reported Ryan had been harassing them. Ryan was warned by security staff, and he continued to religiously abuse them.
When he didn’t stop, he then threw a drink over the victim. Ryan was then escorted out of the venue as he continued to try to assault the door staff.
Serious incident
Despite being told to leave, Ryan continued to abuse the security staff and, after an exchange, he approached the victim, flicked a cigarette at him and threatened to kill him.
A short time later, he left the area and appeared to be walking towards a nearby taxi rank.
Shortly before 11.30pm, a hooded Ryan returned to the town centre driving a Seat Ibiza and parked in a parent and baby car park in Sainsbury’s.
From there, he walked to The Lounge and immediately approached the victim and used a razor to slash the victim’s neck.
The victim sustained a serious wound which required immediate medical care in order to save his life.
Thanks to that care, the victim has thankfully been able to make a recovery.
Ryan, of Brick Kiln Way, Braintree, was charged with attempted murder and racially aggravated harassment.
He denied the charges but was found guilty after a week-long trial in Chelmsford Crown Court.
He was sentenced at the same court on Wednesday 5 April, to 28 years in jail. He will also serve an extended three-year licence and will not be eligible for release for at least 19 years.
'Dangerous man'
Detective Inspector Lydia George, of Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said:
“Ryan showed clear intention to kill the victim. He is undoubtedly a very dangerous individual and, today, justice was served for the victim and his family."
“This incident continues to have a lasting impact on the victim, but it is no exaggeration to say we could very easily have been investigating a murder. The wound was just millimetres from being fatal."
“It is only thanks to the work of first responders – both officers and medics –that the victim’s life was saved.”