Sheffield man slashed bouncer from "mouth to ear" after being kicked out of city centre bar
A Sheffield man slashed a doorman from his mouth to his ear after being kicked out of a city centre bar, a court heard.
Ben Lister, aged 28, walked “straight up” to the bouncer and inflicted the gash “without warning”.
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His victim was left with an 8cm laceration which needed 40 stitches.
Judge Sarah Wright said Lister had been “aggrieved” at being turfed out of the bar and “armed” himself with a knife.
She added: “You caused a very serious injury. It left (the victim) with long-term health issues.”
In a statement read out to Sheffield Crown Court the former doorman now unable to work, said the attack had affected his “entire life”.
Prosecutor Camile Moorland described how at around midnight on November 5, 2023, Lister was drinking at the 141 Bar on West Street when he was asked to leave due to his “behaviour”.
She added: “(The victim) saw the defendant’s behaviour and went to help his colleague. The defendant turned to (the victim) and told him to “f***off”.
After throwing a Prosecco glass Lister was “physically ejected” before shouting from outside that he would “come back”.
Half-an-hour later Lister was shown on CCTV returning to the bar with his hood up, having armed himself with a blade.
The court heard the injured doorman had been diagnosed with PTSD and depression since the attack and was now unable to visit barber shops as razors reminded him of the ordeal.
Lister was arrested after being identified by staff at the bar and initially denied the offence. He pleaded guilty just before his trial was due to commence.
Ms Moorland said Lister had previous convictions for assault with actual bodily harm and affray.
Lister’s barrister James Baird said his client had a “hard” upbringing, having fled domestic violence from London to Sheffield with his mother as a child and struggling emotionally thereafter.
However judge Sarah Wright told Lister only immediate custody was appropriate. She jailed the defendant for four years and three months. He admitted wounding with intent.