Hartlepool thug who glassed clubber has jail sentence increased

A Hartlepool man who assaulted a fellow nightclubber has had his 'unduly lenient' jail sentence almost doubled.
Dylan Russell has had his jail sentence increased to six years.Dylan Russell has had his jail sentence increased to six years.
Dylan Russell has had his jail sentence increased to six years.

Dylan Russell, now 25, was convicted of unlawful wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm in December last year after ‘glassing’ Karl Meggs at Bar Paris in Hartlepool in September 2015.

The original hearing was told that a fight broke out in the early hours, and someone struck Russell.

Bar Paris in Hartlepool, where the attack happened.Bar Paris in Hartlepool, where the attack happened.
Bar Paris in Hartlepool, where the attack happened.
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He wrongly blamed Mr Meggs, and hit him with a glass, causing cuts to his head and ear.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Mr Meggs said: “What happened has left me wary of going out or being alone in a group of people.

“The injuries caused me a lot of pain at the time and afterwards.

“I need to wear a hard hat for work, which has been painful to put on.

Bar Paris in Hartlepool, where the attack happened.Bar Paris in Hartlepool, where the attack happened.
Bar Paris in Hartlepool, where the attack happened.
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“The scar may heal in time, but I currently have my hair longer than I would like to cover it.

“I hope Dylan Russell understands what he did to me, and I never want to see him again.”

Russell, of Redcar Close, Hartlepool, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison and given an indefinite restraining order.

Solicitor General Robert Buckland QC MP argued that the sentence was unduly lenient.

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The Court of Appeal agreed, and today increased his sentence to six years.

Russell has previous convictions for violence, including another for wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm, for which he was jailed for six years.

After the hearing, Mr Buckland said: “This was a violent and unprovoked attack that left a lasting impact on the victim.

“The original sentence did not reflect the seriousness of the crime or the offender’s violent history.

"It deserved tougher punishment, and I am glad that the Court has agreed.”