A JUDGE said he fears what will happen to someone at the hands of a thug who punched his girlfriend in front of horrified diners. Damien Nightingale, 25, has been jailed for 18 months after admitting assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray.
He was branded "dangerous" by Judge Michael Mettyear after he punched Alisha Travis by the McDonald's service counter in Hull city centre.
The attack left Miss Travis – who was in court and is standing by Nightingale – with blood gushing from her nose and bent double in pain.
Nightingale was on licence for robbery at the time of the attack and has as a string of convictions for violence.
Judge Mettyear said: "This is a person who is going to end up very seriously injuring someone.
"You were out of control on this occasion, even members of the public, who were appalled by your behaviour, made no difference.
"You were determined to hurt this woman and you set upon her mercilessly.
"You are a dangerous young man and I fear what is going to happen to someone at your hands."
Prosecutor Stephen Welch showed CCTV footage of the assault to Hull Crown Court, which showed the couple walking into the takeaway on Tuesday, October 7, this year.
He said: "She raises her head and you can see the extent of the injury, with blood all over her face."
He also said Nightingale, of Ashwell Avenue, east Hull, had hit Miss Travis outside a takeaway, near BHS, in Jameson Street, not long before the attack inside McDonald's.
"The defendant was seen shouting angrily at Miss Travis and then drawing over her and striking her in the left eye," said Mr Welch.
"She was seen to swing her head down as if crying."
Mr Welch told the court because Miss Travis is not co-operating with police, the full extent of her injuries are not known.
Nightingale was jailed for five years in 2011 for robbery, a sentence he has now been recalled to complete following the attack on Miss Travis.
He also has convictions for possessing an offensive weapon, making threats to kill, assault and battery.
In mitigation for Nightingale, Paul Norton said he had been "stressed" at the time of the attack because his parents are ill and he had never hit Miss Travis before.
He said: "Miss Travis has attended court today to support Mr Nightingale and she has written a letter which confirms he has never assaulted her before and that she intends to stick by him.
"He says he was under a great deal of stress as both his parents are ill.
"He thinks he is suffering from mental health problems.
"He believes, and there is a suspicion, that he suffers with bipolar disorder."
Judge Mettyear commended Miss Travis's loyalty but branded it "misguided".
Sentencing Nightingale, he said: "You have got a bad record, which is a worrying record.
"You have had chances and punishments. This was absolutely disgraceful conduct."
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