VIDEO: CCTV reveals shocking moment marine left blinded in one eye
THESE shocking CCTV stills capture how two Plymouth Royal Marines were savagely attacked – leaving one blinded in one eye.
The horrific CCTV footage has been released by police to The Herald after the two defendants – soldiers Alexander Thompson and William Press – were sent to prison for a total of 14 years, as reported in The Herald yesterday.
The footage, which was also shown to Plymouth Crown Court during the trial of Thompson and Press, shows the soldiers' 40-second "brutal and unprovoked" attack.
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It was this attack that prompted a judge to issue a stark warning to young men in Plymouth "looking for a fight".
Recorder Geoffrey Still said: "Twelve years' imprisonment is the [sentencing] starting point which from now on should be well known to young men in Plymouth looking for a fight."
Thompson, aged 26, is the attacker on the left-hand side. He repeatedly punches and kicks marine Martin Jones who drops to his knees by a wall after the first blow.
He is then seen aiming at least seven kicks to the former Stonehouse-based commando leaving Mr Jones blind in one eye.
The footage shows Thompson at one stage falling on his backside after kicking the marine with such force.
Simultaneously, father-of-one William Press, who grew up in Plymouth, is seen on the right-hand side punching and kicking Ray Simmons, in the light coloured top.
Mr Simmons, of 30 Commando, fell to the floor after the first punch and Press continues the attack – breaking away just once to punch Mr Jones in the head.
He returns to Mr Simmons, who is lying on the floor, and resumes the violent assault.
In one final devastating kick, which Press himself described as "disgusting", he boots Mr Simmons in the face and the marine's head and body are thrown backwards.
Security officers are then seen to place Mr Simmons in the recovery position as he lay on the floor, and Mr Jones gets up with assistance.
Recorder Geoffrey Still, who sentenced Thompson and Press, said: "The aggravating factors of this case are self evident. One victim ended up having lost an eye and a badly broken up face, the other could have easily ended up the same way as he was kicked whilst unconscious and immobile."
He condemned the two soldiers for the "alcohol and adrenaline fuelled" attack adding the victims were "defenceless" and at their "mercy". An Army spokesman said: "In line with normal procedures, when a custodial sentence is awarded, the unit will usually apply for the discharge of the soldier or soldiers involved."
Comments
by slimjim
Saturday, June 30 2012, 6:26PM
“Anotherbloke - clearly not interested in a fight? Mr Jones started it!!!! HE was the one who wanted a fight”
by slimjim
Saturday, June 30 2012, 6:24PM
“annonam - I can see they werent responsible for the others actions, but some how the jury thought they were and I do think they should have been dealt with seperately
beagleboy - you say you can handle your drink and imply this is why Mr Press/Mr Thomson caused the injuries they did. Yes they went too far, both admitted that but maybe if Mr Jones could also handle his drink he would not have started the incident in the first place. Therefore, if Mr Jones had just got his food and left instead of trying to throw the first punch then both Mr Simmons and Mr Jones would have returned back to their accomodation unhurt, and Mr Press and Mr Thomson would not now be in prison.”
by beagledog
Saturday, June 30 2012, 5:41PM
“Good for him if he has something lined up for a few years down the line. Hopefully he won't chuck it all away next time. Don't want his child growing up with a dad in and out of prison.”
by annonam
Saturday, June 30 2012, 5:33PM
“Wrong there my friend! Press has already got a job lined up! :-)”
by beagledog
Saturday, June 30 2012, 4:09PM
“Call me a fool if you like. But i can handle my drink. And i don't go round kicking people in the eye and blinding them. You can give them a glowing reference on their work abilities when they get out, hopefully in a long time. They are going to need all the help they can get, because any serious employer wont touch them.”
by annonam
Saturday, June 30 2012, 3:52PM
“They have already been discharged now you fool! The Army holds a lot worse people than these two, let me tell you - only they haven't got caught. They were fantastic at their job, the most experienced in their core. I'd rather someone like that fixing my vehicle in Afghan then an amateur - which is what alot of the others are.”
by beagledog
Saturday, June 30 2012, 1:42PM
“Well with the army cutbacks that are coming, at least it means two more deserving soldiers will keep their jobs once these scum have been discharged.”
by annonam
Saturday, June 30 2012, 12:40PM
“@ Slimjim,
But surely you can see that they both wernt responsible for eachothers actions. They could of been dealt with separately? Surely that would of been fairer than to convict someone of something that they never even did. Especially in Thomsons case where he never touched Simmons, and in Press' case where his two punches didn't equate to GBH with intent?
The jury obviously thought not, but that is baffling.”
by Anotherbloke
Saturday, June 30 2012, 12:51AM
“undogmatic00
Yes I am absolutely clearly passing judgement.
I have never beaten someone who is already beaten and clearly not interested in fighting if that helps.
Ill take your 'shame on me' with a smile, if that's what my comment evokes Thank you Sir.”
by slimjim
Friday, June 29 2012, 7:39PM
“annonam - in answer to your question, the judge explained that joint enterprise does not mean it is planned nor does it mean it was unprovoked. All it means is the jury, not even neccesarily the judge, believed that regardless of who punched or kicked who they were both responsible for all injuries. Mr Thomson never punched, nor kicked Mr Simmons but received a custodial sentence for GBH with intent on him because Mr Thomson knew Mr Press and Mr Press was there and did punch/kick Mr Simmons. Until this case I had not heard of joint enterprise but the judge explained to the jury its interpretation.”