A Carlisle man who launched a violent attack on a residential city street which left his victim with broken ribs and a punctured lung has been spared immediate prison.
Lee Fisher’s attack on the man — a former partner of his girlfriend, Louise Proud — came against a background of ongoing issues.
Carlisle Crown Court was told today the man was walking along Edward Street on the evening of October 18 2021, when he heard a vehicle behind him stop.
After the man shouted towards the car, 26-year-old Fisher and Connor Kelly, now 19, got out.
Both ran towards the man, who tried to flee but was tripped by Fisher who then punched him twice as he lay grounded. Kelly yelled at the man in a threatening manner before Proud — the teen’s mother — shouted and swore at the victim as he got to his feet after she also got out of the vehicle.
Several witnesses saw the incident. The victim initially believed his injuries were limited to cuts and grazes but called an ambulance in the early hours of the morning because he was struggling to breathe.
He was taken to Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary and found to have several broken ribs, one of which had punctured a lung. A chest drain was fitted and he was detained in hospital for two days.
Fisher, of Hillary Grove, Carlisle, admitted causing grievous bodily harm. He had no previous convictions was said to significant mental health difficulties. A defence lawyer called his offence an impulsive, spontaneous, short-lived assault.
Recorder Paul Hodgkinson suspended a 23-week jail term for 12 months, and ordered Fisher to undergo rehabilitation work and complete a mental health treatment requirement.
Proud, of Briar Bank, and Kelly, of Waldegrave Road, both Carlisle, admitted single public order charges.
They were each made subject to 12-month community orders and must undergo rehabilitation. Kelly was also given 100 hours’ unpaid work.
