Day: March 14, 2018

A man who bit off a piece of his victim’s ear has had his sentence increased after the Solicitor General appealed it for being too low.

Leon Smith attacked his victim, who was known to him, while he sat in his parked car in July 2016. Smith opened the driver’s door and shouted at the victim to get out and when the victim refused the offender kicked the victim in the mouth. Smith then kicked the car door and reached in and grabbed the victim’s face and forced his thumb into the victim’s eye. The victim was able to force the offender’s hand away and at that point the offender bit the victim’s ear, ripping off a piece of the ear.

Smith was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and originally sentenced to 2 years’ imprisonment suspended for 2 years at Lewes Crown Court. Today, after the Solicitor General’s action, the sentence was increased by the Court of Appeal to 4 years and 8 months immediate custody.

Speaking after the hearing the Solicitor General, Robert Buckland QC MP, said:

“This was a vicious attack on a defenceless victim which will have lasting consequences. I am pleased that the Court has today increased Smith’s sentence and I hope it brings some comfort to his victim.”

Mrs Bradley will use her first visit to the US as Secretary of State to build key relationships with US stakeholders who share a keen interest and influence in Northern Ireland and to reinforce the UK Government’s priority to see devolution restored as soon as possible.

As well as attending the American Ireland Fund Gala dinner, the Secretary of State will meet senior US Representative Joe Crowley and Congressman Richard Neal. She will also attend the White House reception, hosted by President Donald Trump, in honour of the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and the annual ‘Friends of Ireland’ lunch at Capitol Hill hosted by Speaker Paul Ryan.

Mrs Bradley said:

I am absolutely delighted to be part of the St Patrick’s Day event in Washington. My visit here comes at time of great challenge, to me as Secretary of State and also to the political parties and people of Northern Ireland.

It is clear there remains much work to be done in securing a stable and prosperous future for all the people of Northern Ireland, and over the next few days, I want to reassure colleagues in the US that the UK Government remains committed to the Belfast Agreement.

We cannot forget the vital contribution the US had in helping to secure the historic deal in 1998 that led to lasting peace in Northern Ireland and its continued support for the Northern Ireland political process. I am delighted to be here in person to acknowledge their role as we approach the 20th Anniversary of the Belfast Agreement.

The Secretary of State will also attend key networking breakfast events hosted by the Northern Ireland Bureau and the UK Ambassador. She will promote Northern Ireland as open for business and showcase its great investment potential. She will highlight the thriving creative industries, which have been instrumental in putting Northern Ireland on the world stage for creating global television productions including Game of Thrones.

Before returning to the UK, she will travel to New York to hold separate discussions with former President Bill Clinton and Senator George Mitchell, who were instrumental in brokering the Belfast Agreement, and is expected to update them on the current political situation in Northern Ireland.