A man who launched a ferocious attack in a Carlisle house which could have caused the death of his defenceless victim has been jailed for six years.
The city’s crown court heard today how 30-year-old Vitalijus Gerve went on the run after meting out savage and unprovoked violence to Aurimas Milasevicius.
That occurred at an address in Fusehill Street on Sunday, 2nd May last year, when Gerve was, according to his victim’s girlfriend, at the end of a “two-week drinking binge”, while also high on cannabis.
As Gerve knocked back vodka and smoked the drug with others, Mr Milasevicius and his partner were in their own room. She went downstairs to prepare food, and heard screams as Gerve launched what prosecutor Brendan Burke said was a “frenzied attack”.
“The victim has little recollection of this beyond the point where the defendant launched the attack by grabbing his throat,” said Mr Burke. “He then went on to punch him to the face multiple times and then was kicking and stamping on his body.
His girlfriend was terrified and rang the police. In her broken English she was saying: ‘kill my husband’ and ‘big problem’.”
Mr Milasevicius suffered a fractured left eye socket, a broken hyoid bone from strangulation and, because his airway had been compromised, he underwent a tracheotomy.
Multiple teeth were missing, he had broken ribs and extensive bruising to his face and body.
He spent two weeks in the Cumberland Infirmary’s intensive care unit. “One of the treating doctors said that he could have died without medical treatment,” said Mr Burke.
“Due to the throat injury and compromised airway he could have died because of hypoxia and hyperventilation.”
Gerve, of no fixed address, failed to answer his bail after the incident and was circulated as wanted by police who arrested him in Cheshire in March this year.
He later admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent when brought to court.
“I never want to see him again,” said the victim — who was left scarred —in a statement, outlining the massive impact in the aftermath.
“This assault ruined my life and health. Because of it I lost my work and my home, and I have to rely on my girlfriend.”
Andrew Gurney, defending, said Gerve’s recollection was that he heard an argument between the victim and his partner on the night, and went to their room.
Gerve and Mr Milasevicius had previously been friends, the defendant had said.
“Mr Gerve states he is truly remorseful for this entire incident and for all of the pain and suffering that he has caused the complainant,” said Mr Gurney. “This behaviour is out of character for him.”
As he jailed Gerve, Recorder Andrew Nuttall observed that Mr Milasevicius had suffered “terrible injuries”.
“You went into that room and in an unprovoked attack with no apparent reason whatsoever you proceeded to beat the victim in a most savage way,” Recorder Nuttall told the defendant. “It is quite clear this was a vicious, frenzied attack on a defenceless man.”
