Man left best friend with horror facial injuries by stamping on his head and hitting him with fence post during New Year's Eve row

A man caused horrific facial injuries to his best friend by kicking and stamping on his head and attacking him with a fence post when they fell out on New Year's Eve.
Francis Jenkins has been jailed.Francis Jenkins has been jailed.
Francis Jenkins has been jailed.

Francis Jenkins was caught on CCTV camera carrying out the drunken attack outside his home on January 31 last year.

Leeds Crown Court heard Jenkins, 47, and the 36-year-old victim had been friends for over 20 and were "like brothers".

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The incident happened when the victim and another men went to Jenkins' home on Monkhill Avenue, Pontefract, for the New Year celebrations.

Bashir Ahmed, prosecuting, said the men spent the evening drinking and socialising.

The prosecutor said the atmosphere changed due to the amount of alcohol that they had drunk.

Jenkins became violent towards his friend after he threw a plate of food at the defendant's television.

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The television broke and the victim also threw a bottle or a glass at the door.

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Mr Ahmed said it was not clear what happened inside the house but camera footage from Jenkins' property showed him dragging the victim outside onto the driveway.

Jenkins was filmed punching his friend seven times to the face.

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The court heard Jenkins then "took a breather" before punching him a further four times then kicking and stamping on his face.

The victim was not moving and was incapable of defending himself as he was on the ground.

A woman came out and tried to stop Jenkins but he continued the attack.

Camera footage also showed the defendant picking up a fence post and swinging it towards the victim.

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The victim suffered multiple fractures to his face and jaw and had to have an operation to have metal plates fitted to his face.

Jenkins pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent.

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Mr Ahmed said the victim did not support the prosecution against Jenkins and blamed himself for causing the incident.

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In a statement to the court he described how he had not been able to see Jenkins since the incident due to his bail conditions.

He said: "He's my best friend and brother and I have known him since I was a young man.

"He has helped me through some tough times.

"I have lost my best friend and wish I could turn back time.

"What happened that night should not have happened. I hate myself for it."

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Sean Smith, mitigating, said Jenkins was full of remorse and shame for committing the offence.

He said: "He is concerned about what he has done in this moment of madness."

Jenkins was jailed for three years and eight months.

Judge Andrew Stubbs QC said: "You were intending to do him really serious harm with that weapon.."