A man has been sentenced to prison for a brutal and unprovoked attack on a disabled pubgoer, which culminated in him stubbing a lit cigarette into the victim's eye.
A Cowardly Assault in a Beer Garden
David Brown, 40, launched himself at the victim the moment the man entered the beer garden of a pub on South Street, Hucknall, Nottinghamshire. The victim, a man in his 30s who uses a mobility scooter due to a physical disability from a workplace incident, was targeted on December 29, 2023.
CCTV footage of the incident showed Brown lunging at the man, leading to a scuffle that ended with the victim on the ground. It was there that Brown committed the horrific act of extinguishing a cigarette in the victim's right eye. Other patrons at the pub eventually intervened, pulling Brown away from the injured man before police arrived.
Lasting Injuries and a Trial
The victim sustained significant injuries to his right eye and has suffered ongoing eyesight problems requiring repeated hospital treatment. The emotional and physical impact has been severe, with the court hearing he no longer feels safe living in Hucknall.
Brown was arrested at the scene and later stood trial at Nottingham Crown Court in October. He denied a charge of grievous bodily harm with intent but was found guilty by a jury. On Friday, November 28, 2025, he was handed a prison sentence of four and a half years.
Police Praise Bystanders and Detail Motive
Police Constable Oskar Sereda, of Nottinghamshire Police, condemned the "cowardly" attack. He stated that while it was believed Brown and the victim had previously fallen out over money, the assault itself was entirely unprovoked.
"It is difficult to imagine the pain he must have suffered during the incident and the emotional and physical impact upon him has been lasting," PC Sereda said. He also revealed the wider consequences, noting the victim's parents had suffered financially from taking time off work to care for their son.
The officer publicly thanked the pub visitors who rushed to help, stating their actions were crucial in keeping Brown away from the victim until officers arrived on the scene.
