Taxi driver beaten to within an inch of his life in ferocious street attackhttps://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news ... ot-7132642 Includes video of driver's wife
Picture of Scumbag ThugDrink and drug-crazed Callum McDermott brutally stamped and kicked on the unconscious victim's head, leaving his life hanging in the balance, a court heard.
A "dangerous" attacker savagely stamped and kicked a cab driver, causing a life-changing head injury after an all-night "bender" on booze and cocaine.
Callum McDermott was staggering in the middle of the road in Saffron Lane, Leicester at 6.40am, on Monday August 23. He then kicked a taxi and the 45-year-old driver approached him holding a fire extinguisher amid the tooting horns of impatient commuters.
McDermott then attacked the driver, a married father of three, raining down 18 punches, kicks and stamps. He then walked away as the smaller man lay unconscious on the floor, but returned and stamped or kicked him six more times with 'full force'.
Police were called to the scene after the incident, which was captured on CCTV. McDermott then claimed he didn't know why they were there and attacked three officers, breaking the nose of one officer in four places and injuring his eye.
Leicester Crown Court heard McDermott was then sprayed with an incapacitant and taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary where he made racist comments to staff who were trying to treat him.
It was unclear whether the taxi driver would survive the attack for two weeks. His distraught wife spent every hour by his bedside and believes her husband's 'thinking abilities may be permanently damaged'. He has also been left with poor balance and struggles to walk at times.
They are now living under threat of losing their home and they have had to rely on a food bank to feed their family. The victim, who was once described as a 'calm man' now gets angry and frustrated and has said several times that he feels he would have been better off dead.
The victim's wife has today spoken out about the impact the incident has had on their lives:
Judge Timothy Spencer QC told 33-year-old McDermott: "It's a dreadful, dreadful picture and a dreadful, dreadful story. "
The judge added the impact on the injured officer, who suffered facial fractures, was significant and caused extreme distress to his son. McDermott originally stood trial, charged with attempted murder, but was found not guilty.
He pleaded guilty to an alternative count of intentionally inflicting grievous bodily harm to the taxi driver. He also admitted causing actual bodily harm to a police officer and assaulting two emergency workers, by kicking two constables, as well as racially aggravated threatening behaviour at hospital and a police station.
McDermott was said to have suffered from a traumatic childhood and suffers from PTSD. In the weeks leading up to the incident he was admitted several times to Leicester's Bradgate psychiatric unit, where he caused wanton damage during hostile and manic outbursts, one leading to his arrest. He was discharged from the unit on August 2.
On the night before the attack, he visited a cousin in Ashby-de-la-Zouch for a "bender" on alcohol and drugs. It is unknown how he ended up in the Saffron Lane area of Leicester by 6.40am the next day.
McDermott began arguing with the judge during sentencing and was ordered he leave the dock and wait in the court cells, without hearing in open court how long he would have to stay in prison. His solicitor/advocate, Helen Johnson, told the court: "He didn't get the treatment he needed from the Bradgate Unit and was released in a poor state of health. His mental health was very bad at the time of this incident.
"Whilst in custody (on remand), he's been receiving the treatment he needs, with long term psychological intervention and medication. He's now getting the help he's been asking for from the age of 13." The judge said he accepted the defendant was remorseful for his actions.
McDermott also admitted being the owner of a dangerously out of control dog, that was said to have been a banned breed. The dog had bitten a police officer, a member of the public and a member of staff at the kennels, where the animal is currently being looked after. The judge will decide the dog's fate at a later court hearing.
He was jailed for 10 years and eight months - of which he will serve two thirds. He was given an additional five year licence extension, as the judge said he was a "dangerous" offender, with a substantial risk of future harm to the public.
The judge publicly commended three members of the public, two men and a woman, who "bravely" tried to intervene at the scene and awarded them £300 each from public funds.
Afterwards, Leicestershire Police issued a statement. The Investigating officer, Detective Constable Berni Smith, said: “This was a horrific attack on a man in a public place, in front of a number of members of the public. Many were left extremely distressed by what they had witnessed. Fortunately, the victim survived the attack, although he is still receiving ongoing medical treatment and life for him will never be the same.
“McDermott didn’t just stop at attacking the victim, he then assaulted a number of officers, one of whom sustained significant facial injuries.” Temporary Chief Constable Rob Nixon said: “This was a shocking incident and my thoughts are with the victim and his family.
"McDermott’s actions that day were inexcusable. Not only did he attack a member of the public but officers doing their duty. Any attack on any police officer is very concerning to us and completely unacceptable.
“Your police officers and staff are normal people who do incredible things. Drawn from our local communities, they are doing an excellent job at the most challenging of times.
“Being attacked and assaulted while they carry out this duty will simply not be tolerated.”
Login
Register
FAQ
