Midlands Teen Mother Sentenced for Brutal Street Attack That Caused Permanent Eye Injury
A young mother from the Midlands has been handed a suspended prison sentence after a horrific street assault left a man with permanent vision loss. The violent incident occurred following an altercation outside a nightclub in Hanley, Staffordshire.
Violent Altercation Following Nightclub Incident
Jade Aston, aged 20, was on a night out with her then-partner in Hanley when the attack took place on November 24, 2024. The court heard that Aston had recently given birth and was visiting the town centre to "let her hair down" for the first time since becoming a mother.
According to prosecutor Lee Stone, the victim had been dancing with Aston and other revellers at Gossip nightclub in Hope Street when he briefly placed his hands around her waist. The court was told the man immediately removed his hands when he realised this made Aston uncomfortable.
Brutal Assault Causes Life-Changing Injuries
The situation escalated after both Aston and her partner were removed from the venue while the victim remained inside. When the man left the premises approximately one hour later, Aston attacked him, landing three punches to his face.
The assault resulted in devastating injuries, including:
- A full-thickness laceration to the victim's eyelid
- A globe fracture to his left eye
- Permanent vision loss in the affected eye
The injuries were exacerbated by a ring Aston was wearing at the time of the attack. In a victim impact statement read to North Staffordshire Justice Centre, the man described how the assault had fundamentally changed his life.
Life-Altering Consequences for Victim
"I was punched multiple times and permanently lost sight in my left eye," the victim stated. "I had to undergo surgery to try and restore my vision. I now suffer headaches and my eye occasionally drifts lazily, which makes me feel self-conscious."
The victim, who was training to become an electrician, explained that he now struggles with depth perception, making simple tasks like picking up objects or crossing roads challenging and potentially dangerous. He also expressed ongoing fear about suffering further random violence and described how the attack had taken away his enjoyment of social activities and football.
Defence Arguments and Sentencing
Defence solicitor Simon Dykes told the court that Aston had "saw red" after being touched without consent. He emphasised that the defendant had recently been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and expressed her deep remorse for the incident.
"The biggest regret of her life is not walking away," Mr Dykes stated. "She did not mean to inflict injuries of this scale. She is deeply remorseful."
The court heard that Aston had not been out drinking or socialising since the attack and had ended her relationship with her former partner to avoid similar situations in future.
Court's Final Decision
Magistrates acknowledged that the assault passed the custody threshold but decided to suspend Aston's eight-month prison sentence for twelve months. The 20-year-old, of Fairfax Street, Birches Head, had previously admitted assault causing actual bodily harm.
In addition to the suspended sentence, Aston received:
- A compensation order requiring £500 to be paid to the victim
- Monthly deductions of £20 from her benefits until the compensation is settled
- A 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement
The magistrates told Aston they believed she had shown "true remorse" and demonstrated "a good chance of rehabilitation." The case highlights the devastating consequences that can result from momentary acts of violence and the life-changing impact such incidents have on both victims and perpetrators.
