Cornwall drug addict has jail time increased
Steven Brown will spend longer behind bars after Solicitor General, Robert Buckland QC MP, referred his original sentence to the Court of Appeal.
A heroin addict who carried out a sustained assault on a man will spend longer behind bars after Solicitor General, Robert Buckland QC MP, referred his original sentence to the Court of Appeal as unduly lenient.
Steven Brown, 40, along with his girlfriend, Jodine Harvey, had been staying at the victim Vincent Rutter’s flat over the festive period last year. The 3 had all consumed large amounts of heroin and crack-cocaine.
Around 28 December 2017, while Harvey was sleeping, Rutter attempted to remove a Kinder egg concealed in her vagina that contained the last of the drugs.
Rutter’s actions woke Harvey up, and Brown and Harvey then accused Rutter of stealing the drugs. They embarked on a sustained assault that left the victim very badly injured.
Rutter eventually went to his neighbour a significant period of time after the infliction of his injuries, and after Brown and Harvey had fallen asleep. The police were contacted and Rutter was taken to hospital. Rutter suffered life-threatening injuries, sustaining 17 fractured ribs, collapsed lungs and a lacerated spleen. He required an operation for plates and screws to be inserted, and spent a total of 9 days in hospital.
Brown, who was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent was originally sentenced in September at Truro Crown Court to 3 years in prison. He will now serve 5 years behind bars.
Speaking after the hearing, the Solicitor General said:
“This was a vicious and sustained attack that left a man with serious injuries, and all because of drugs. The original sentence failed to take proper account of the seriousness of the offence and the harm drugs can do to people’s lives. I am pleased the Court has now seen fit to increase the prison term.”