VIOLENT OFFENDER WASEEM AFZAL JAILED FOR FACIAL GBH ATTACK
A woman was left with "horrendous" facial fractures after rejecting the advances of a violent individual.In June of the previous year, the victim was staying with her mother at a Travelodge near Newcastle Quayside and was outside early in the morning when she engaged in conversation with Waseem Afzal.They then went for a walk and later into Jesmond Dene.
Prosecutor Peter Sabiston told Newcastle Crown Court: "The accused made an unwanted advance towards her, after which her recollection was vague.
At some point, she fell to the ground and believed she had been punched."She recalls being hit in the face and being taken to the RVI hospital suffering from multiple facial fractures, swelling to her face and head, and bruising.
A member of the public saw the victim, who has mental health issues and was vulnerable, emerge from some bushes and say she had been attacked.In her victim impact statement, she described the trauma: "This has had a horrific effect on me.
I suffered numerous fractures to my face and a broken septum.
I was in hospital for several days and vomited every day." She also stated: "I am in pain to this day as a result of the attack.
I have night terrors and the damage is horrendous."Afzal, aged 34 and of no fixed address, admitted to causing grievous bodily harm (GBH).
He has 38 previous convictions and was also breaching an eight-month suspended sentence from a recent attack on a bus driver.
He was sentenced to 35 months in prison but is expected to be released soon due to the time served on remand.Judge Amanda Rippon described Afzal as "very violent" and noted that his violence has escalated over the past decade.
The court was told that he has bipolar disorder and has received mental health treatment but had not been taking his medication.
His use of cocaine has worsened his mental state.
The judge warned him: "You are going to commit a serious offence and hurt someone then you will go to prison for a very long time."The defendant's solicitor, Rachel Kelly, stated that Afzal has mental health issues and was homeless at the time of the offence, but has shown significant responsibility and discipline while in custody.
