Violent Darwen man bit man's ears in drunken attack

When police arrived at Anthony Whipp’s flat in Darwen having been called to a disturbance by a neighbour, they believed he was already dead such was the extent of his injuries.

Mr Whipp, 54, was dealt the horrific injuries by Steven Patterson, 35, while Patterson was also said to have punched another man in the street prior to entering Mr Whipp’s flat.

Paul Brookwell, prosecuting at Preston Crown Court, said Patterson, Mr Whipp, and the third man entered the Londis shop at the Texaco garage in Bolton Road, Darwen, at around 9.15am on October 26.

Other shoppers as well as one of the shop workers said Patterson was being abusive towards the unnamed man, so much so that he was confronted about his behaviour.

Steven Patterson (Image: Lancashire Police)

The trio left and hailed a taxi which took them back towards Mr Whipp’s flat – a journey the prosecution say need not have been done by taxi and was easily in walking distance.

Upon getting out of the car, close to a set of traffic lights, Patterson began beating the third man and punched him while he was on the ground.

Patterson and Mr Whipp then walked towards the flat, and when approached by a member of the public about what happened, Patterson informed them the man was a “grassing c**t.”

Later on, at around 12.15pm, a beautician working in the same block of flats where Mr Whipp’s home was, heard shouting and banging coming from the flat and called the police.

Officers arrived and searched the flat, where they found Mr Whipp lying down in the hallway covered in blood, with blood also spattered across the walls.

The officers went upstairs and found Patterson intoxicated, aggressive, threatening, and abusive.

Mr Whipp was taken to hospital where a CT scan revealed he had a bleed on the brain, swelling of soft tissue on his scalp and both ears, fractures to his nose, eye sockets, and facial sinuses, a punctured lung, multiple rib fractures, and lost teeth.

He also had lacerations to both ears which the prosecution said was most likely caused by biting, and cartilage from his ears was found on the floor in the hallway.

Mr Whipp spent a month in hospital in a coma and was kept in intensive care. He said the attack had affected his thinking speed and that he had suffered from anxiety and stress since, affecting the quality of his life.

He has not been able to go back to his flat and currently lives in a care home.

Patterson, of Cavendish Street, Darwen, has previous convictions for violence in 2008, 2010, and 2019. He pleaded guilty to an offence of section 18 causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

In mitigation, James Heyworth said his client had limited recollection of the incident due to his alcohol consumption, but there was a significant contrast between his behaviour on this occasion and his behaviour in the years between it and his previous convictions.

Mr Heyworth said Patterson is someone capable of behaving properly and appropriately, and not committing violence.

Judge Robert Altham, sentencing, said: “Officers went into the flat and found Mr Whipp in a condition which led them to believe he may already be dead. I have seen photos of those injuries and can see why they came to that opinion.

The Texaco Londis garage in Bolton Road, Darwen (Image: Google Maps)

“This was a prolonged attack across more than one room, involving repeated significant blows to the upper body and head, and biting to the ears.

“Pieces of both his ears are missing and he is awaiting corrective surgery.

“These were grave injuries, even for GBH.”

Judge Altham sentenced Patterson to nine years and five months in prison, with a further five years on extended license, giving a total extended sentence of 14 years and five months.

Tony Roberts, of Blackburn Criminal Investigation Department, said: “This was a sickening and callous attack which has left Paterson’s victim with life-threatening injuries. Nothing can justify the ferocious violence used in the attack, which included the victim losing part of his ears.

“I welcome the significant sentence handed down to Paterson which reflects the very real danger he presents to the public.”