A YOUNG Wirral man has started a nine-month detention sentence after blinding another man in one eye.

Lee Mottram struck out in anger when his victim intervened as he argued with his girlfriend and dragged her down the street.

He hit 44-year-old Michael Rosengrave one blow in the left eye which ruptured his eyeball.

He was taken to hospital but doctors were unable to save his eye and it had to be removed, said Miss Nisha Biswas, prosecuting.

Sentencing 19-year-old Mottram, Judge Bryn Holloway said that his girlfriend's screams had alerted a number of people who acted in a commendable fashion, including the victim.

"One can only imagine what you might have done to her if these people in a public-spirited way had not come to her assistance.

"Mr Rosengrave deserves the highest possible praise for trying to stop your girlfriend suffering at your hands," said Judge Holloway, who awarded the victim £400 and a certificate of commendation.

Mottram, of Bidston Road, Oxton, had pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Miss Biswas told Liverpool Crown Court that the incident happened in Holm Lane, Oxton, on August 7 last year.

Mottram, who had been drinking, began arguing with his girlfriend, Kirsten Smith, and her screams alerted residents, including Mr Rosengrave, who came away from their homes. Two motorists also stopped to help.

While Mr Rosengrave's wife was comforting Miss Smith, Mottram lashed out and struck her husband one blow, while the victim's young children watched from their nearby home.

Mr Nicholas Gilchrist, defending, said that no-one at the scene could have contemplated the consequences of the blow.

Mottram, who has a previous conviction and a police caution for drunk and disorderly behaviour, had struck a single blow in "a hot-headed and impetuous act."

He is a hard working young man who was remorseful for his actions that night, added Mr Gilchrist.

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