A Wirral man has been sentenced to four years and six months in prison after biting off another man's nose during an unprovoked attack at a golf club social event. Liverpool Crown Court heard that Paul Babbington, 46, assaulted his victim, Simon Hoey, after taking offence to a comment about his London accent.
The incident, which occurred at Leasowe Golf Club on November 17, 2024, left Mr. Hoey with permanent disfigurement. The court was told Babbington was heavily intoxicated at the time of the attack.
Key Takeaways
- Paul Babbington, 46, was sentenced to four years and six months in prison for wounding with intent.
- The attack happened at Leasowe Golf Club after the victim, Simon Hoey, commented on Babbington's "Cockney accent."
- Mr. Hoey suffered a permanent injury after a piece of his nose was bitten off.
- Babbington admitted to being "nine out of 10" drunk and expressed disgust for his actions.
- The judge described the assault as "unprovoked and barbaric."
Wirral Man Jailed for 'Barbaric' Attack
Paul Babbington, a 46-year-old resident of Bennets Lane in Meols, received a significant prison sentence at Liverpool Crown Court on October 10. He had previously pleaded guilty to the charge of wounding with intent following the violent incident last November.
During the sentencing, Judge Stuart Driver condemned Babbington's actions, highlighting the severe and lasting consequences for the victim. The judge noted the gravity of the injury, which he stated resulted in a permanent and irreversible disfigurement.
"At the end of a peaceful evening, you were outside a golf club and your victim was inside, minding his own business," Judge Driver said. "You ran in and attacked that older man, knocking him to the floor and then deliberately biting off the end of his nose. It was unprovoked and barbaric."
The court reviewed photographic evidence of the injuries, which the judge emphasised to illustrate the severity of the assault. Babbington was sentenced to four years and six months in custody.
A Dispute Over an Accent
The court heard that the conflict began with a seemingly minor exchange. Babbington and his victim, Simon Hoey, had not met prior to the social event at Leasowe Golf Club. Prosecutor Peter Hussey explained that the two were introduced during the evening.
Mr. Hussey told the court, "Mr. Hoey heard the defendant speak, recognised a London accent and commented about him having a Cockney accent." He added that Babbington's reaction was unexpected, as he "seemed to take umbrage at being called a Cockney."
According to the prosecution, Mr. Hoey chose not to escalate the situation and the two men went their separate ways for the remainder of the party. The initial interaction, however, appeared to be the catalyst for the later violence.
The Events of November 17, 2024
The incident took place during a social gathering at Leasowe Golf Club. Paul Babbington was attending as an invited guest, while Simon Hoey was present as a club member. The evening proceeded without further issue until the party concluded.
The Attack in the Foyer
The assault occurred as the evening was drawing to a close. Mr. Hoey was inside the golf club's foyer waiting for a taxi to take him home. The attack, which was partially recorded on the club's CCTV system, was described as sudden and forceful.
Prosecutor Peter Hussey detailed the sequence of events for the court. "The defendant appeared to have spotted the victim there, forces his way back inside and goes straight to the victim and, using both hands, grabs him by the head and forces him back through the doorway and against the wall," he said.
A struggle ensued, causing both men to fall to the floor and knock over other guests in the process. It was at this point that the attack escalated dramatically. Mr. Hussey stated, "While on top of the victim, Babbington reached forward and began biting his nose, and in the course of biting the nose he bit out a chunk - a bit of flesh that was then recovered by police."
Permanent Disfigurement and Lasting Impact
The court was informed of the profound and permanent impact the attack has had on Simon Hoey. The physical injury has left him with a lasting disfigurement that serves as a constant reminder of the assault.
Victim's Lasting Injury
Mr. Hoey has consulted with a specialist regarding reconstructive surgery. However, he was advised that an operation might result in an even more significant scar, leaving him with the current disfigurement as a permanent feature.
"It's a constant reminder for him. Every time he looks in the mirror, he finds there is a constant reminder of what happened that night," Mr. Hussey explained. The prosecutor added that the attack has also affected Mr. Hoey's mental state and his ability to engage in normal day-to-day activities.
Judge Driver acknowledged this lasting harm in his sentencing remarks, noting the significant impact on the victim's state of mind.
Court Hears of Defendant's Remorse and Personal Struggles
In his police interview following the arrest, Babbington described himself as being "nine out of 10" drunk on the night of the attack. His defence counsel, Dan Travers, told the court that his client was fully aware of the consequences of his actions.
"Babbington knows he's going to prison today. He knows he must be punished for a very serious offence," Mr. Travers said. "He is disgusted and appalled by his actions and understands the consequences, not for him, but for his victim."
The defence offered context for Babbington's behaviour, explaining that he had been through a difficult period. The court heard he was drinking for the first time since the death of his father in July 2024 and had recently been hospitalised with sepsis.
Mr. Travers argued that these recent events and excessive alcohol consumption played a significant role. He also spoke of the wider impact of the prison sentence on Babbington's family, including his wife and his elderly, frail mother, for whom he was a primary caregiver. His career and a small business with employees would also suffer as a result of his conviction.
Despite the mitigating factors presented, the judge concluded that the severity of the unprovoked attack warranted a substantial custodial sentence.