Thatcham man Dominik Bullock tried to gouge out victim’s eye

A “MENACE to society” who tried to gouge out a screaming victim’s eye has been sent back to prison.

Dominik Bullock engaged in a “sustained and prolonged attack” as he struggled to pluck out Mark Foster’s eyeball.

The 29-year-old, who has lived in both Martingale Chase in Newbury and latterly Spurcroft Road in Thatcham, went berserk in a row over his playing loud music in the early hours, Reading Crown Court heard on Friday, June 28.

Katie Jones, prosecuting, said Bullock had been staying temporarily in shared, supported living accommodation when the attack happened.

After Mr Foster complained about the noise, Bullock kicked his legs from under him before jumping on him and pinning him down with his arms and legs.

She said Bullock then tried to gouge out Mr Foster’s eyeball.

Mr Foster later described “excruciating pain” during the prolonged attack and said: “I feared my eyeball would be completely destroyed or that I would even die.”

Eventually Mr Foster broke free and emergency services were called.

He needed hospital treatment for his wounded eye while Bullock barricaded himself in his room in a vain effort to thwart arrest attempts.

Mr Foster told the court in a victim impact statement that he needed specialist medical treatment and still suffered nightmares about the attack.

He said his career as a “social influencer” had suffered.

Bullock, who has 48 previous convictions, several of them for violence, admitted causing Mr Foster grievous bodily harm in Reading on March 14.

He represented himself at the hearing and when the judge, Recorder John Gallagher invited him to say something on his own behalf, he replied: “I’ve got nothing to say.”

Recorder Gallagher told Bullock: “This was a thoroughly unpleasant, malicious, deliberate, sustained, vicious and unprovoked attack on a wholly innocent man.”

It was “merciful” that Mr Foster’s injuries had not been worse, he said.

Recorder Gallagher went on: “The previous offences you’ve committed have been many and various; you’ve shown no concern for keeping the law.

“There will always be a judge here who will deal with you so if you want to keep committing offences and going to prison, you can.

“You’re a menace to society; you’re not willing to engage with probation and they feel there’s nothing they can do to assist.”

He concluded: “The sentences will keep getting longer.

“You only live once and it’s your life you’re playing around with.”

He sentenced Bullock to 20 months in prison.

Half will be spent behind bars and the remainder in the community on licence.

No order was made for costs or compensation because Bullock had shown “no inclination” to work for a living and thus had no means to pay.

Finally, Bullock was made subject to a five year restraining order preventing him from contacting Mr Foster either directly or indirectly or from going to his home address.