“Silly argument” over crack pipe left addict with a “life-threatening” hole in stomach, Sheffield judge hears
The gash in the injured man’s belly lining leaked “bile” into his abdominal cavity
A “silly argument” over a crack pipe left an addict with a “life-threatening” hole in his stomach requiring emergency surgery, a Sheffield judge heard.
The injured man spent three days unable to eat and vomiting before going to A&E - where it was discovered the gash in his belly lining had leaked “bile” into his abdominal cavity.
He received the beating from fellow crack fiend Tommy Petruska, 31, said prosecutor Richard Davies, when the pair fell out about the drug taking apparatus at a friend’s flat in Barnsley on January 19.
Sheffield Crown Court heard “enraged” Petruska punched his “frail” victim to the face, broke his ribs and bit his finger during the beating.
Petruska had 33 previous convictions for 66 offences, the court heard, including 10 for violence.
His barrister Richard Barradell said since being remanded to prison the defendant was off drugs and had enrolled in several courses.
Recorder Ian Mullarkey told Petruska he had a “poor” record of offending, adding: “The offence is so serious that nothing other than immediate custody can be justified.”
Petruska, of Honeywell Grove, Barnsley, admitted grievous bodily harm.
He was handed two years’ jail and a three-year restraining order.