Man maimed in Woolhampton road rage assault

Victim James Mannion was left with sheets of skin hanging from his neck, lifelong scars and severe vision damage from the bloody and prolonged assault, Newbury magistrates heard.
A witness said the perpetrator - 20-year-old Matthew Partridge, of Oak Tree Road, Thatcham - put so much weight behind each blow he rained on his victim that his own feet left the floor with every punch.
Shocking photographs of Mr Mullion’s battered and bloodied face were handed to the court and Victoria Griffiths, prosecuting, revealed that Mr Partridge has
previously been cautioned for an offence so similar, she initially thought they were one and the same incident.
The horrific drama unfolded following a minor traffic accident between the two parties at Woolhampton, magistrates were told on Thursday.
Mrs Griffiths said both pulled over and Mr Partridge immediately became aggressive, barking “idiot” at Mr Mannion, whose motorcycle was damaged.
Mr Mannion said in a statement he pushed away the defendant, who was being aggressive and swearing.
He said he feared Mr Partridge would not exchange insurers’ details and went to take a photograph of his licence plates.
This allegedly prompted Mr Partridge to grab him round the throat and shove him into a bramble bush, warning him not to photograph his car before striding away.
Fearful he would have no evidence, Mr Mannion said he again tried to take a picture.
It was then that all hell broke loose, the court heard.
Mr Mannion said: “He grabbed me round the throat again and marched me into the bramble bush. I was in shock.”
Mr Partridge then began raining punches, the court heard, and Mr Mannion continued: “I panicked; there was a large amount of blood; I lost vision and fell to the gound, letting out a
guttural scream.”
Mr Mannion said he managed to dial 999 and was later taken to hospital by ambulance.
Photographs of Mr Mannion’s battered and bloodied face showed “sheets of skin” hanging from his neck, said Mrs Griffiths.
The witness described how Mr Partridge’s feet left the floor each time he punched his victim.
Mrs Griffiths concluded: “Mr Mannion needed stitches; he is extremely traumatised and this will have a long-lasting effect on him. He no longer sees colour in both eyes and is having ongoing treatment from a specialist. He is permanently scarred.”
She said Mr Partridge had previously been cautioned by police “after becoming so frustrated about someone taking photographs that he punched them”.
She added: “The incidents are so similar I thought they were muddled up.”
Mr Partridge admitted assault causing actual bodily harm on August 29 this year.
But he did so on the basis that he was provoked.
Mike Davis, defending, said: “We say the two were arguing when Mr Mannion pushed him first. He punched Mr Mannion because he thought he was going to punch him first.
“The photographs do look vivid, and no doubt there’s damage to the eye, but Mr Partridge just went too far defending himself.”
Magistrates decided a Newton hearing - a mini hearing to establish disputed facts of the offence before they pass sentence - was necessary.
Mr Partridge was bailed until February 20 next year.