Slur row dad jailed for single punch

A FAILSWORTH father of two who severely injured an innocent man’s face has been jailed for 15 months.

Adeel Ashraf (28) was driving in Accrington when a woman complained her dog had almost been mown down by him and used an offensive comment.

Ashraf got out of car and punched innocent bystander Paul Dutson, who had nothing to do with the abuse. Mr Dutson hit a wall then fell unconscious and was rushed to the Royal Preston Hospital neurological unit amid fears he had suffered a brain injury, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Tests showed he had three fractures to his face, including a broken eye socket and nose which needed surgical repair.

Ashraf, of Old Road, Failsworth, had earlier admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm.

David Ryan, defending, said Ashraf had a record including two previous, older convictions for assault, but had stayed out of trouble in the two and a half years since his son was born

Sentencing, Judge Simon Newell said Ashraf had had no need to get out of the car and follow upon the unpleasant abuse with a man who had no part of it. He told the defendant:” These were injuries of some substance.”