Old Market Square glass bottle attacker tried to flush crucial evidence down toilet

A violent criminal has been jailed after hitting a man over the head with a glass bottle in Old Market Square in Nottingham city centre. The victim was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre following the attack.

The man was left with three cracked ribs and a large cut to the head that required eight stitches following the incident, which took place just before 5.20pm on May 20. Police received a tip-off that the attacker went by the nickname 'Scarface' and eventually identified him as 33-year-old Benjamin Mitchell, of Washington Court in Arnold.

Mitchell tried to disrupt Nottinghamshire Police's investigation whilst in custody after being told that his T-shirt would need to be seized. The shirt matched one seen in CCTV footage of the glassing incident, but Mitchell flushed the clothing down the toilet in his custody cell, causing a blockage.

Mitchell has previously served three custodial sentences for a string of wounding offences. The latest incident began when the victim, celebrating his 25th birthday, was sat outside the former Debenhams store and approached by someone demanding a cigarette.

The victim reportedly told the younger person "manners cost nothing, say please", provoking an argument which prompted Mitchell to become involved. The man said Mitchell smashed him over the head with a glass bottle and he was then chased for a short distance before being kicked to the ground.

Officers found the victim falling in and out of consciousness having suffered a seizure. Mitchell pleaded guilty to wounding/inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent and committing an act with intent to pervert the course of justice.

Mitchell gave a different version of events to the one provided by the victim. He claimed he was being set upon by other people who had falsely accused him of stealing a bicycle and that he'd "picked up a bottle and lashed out recklessly", which is how the victim came to be injured.

His sentencing took place on Thursday (October 17) and he was jailed for 20 months. He was further made subject of a two-year restraining order that prohibits him from contacting the victim either directly or indirectly.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Michael Love, who led the investigation, said: "This was a disgraceful assault that took place in broad daylight in a busy part of the city. Mitchell once again displayed appalling violence and it is fortunate his victim was not more seriously hurt.

"Even in custody, Mitchell did what he could in a desperate attempt to derail the investigation. He has shown no remorse for his actions and fully deserves to be back behind bars.

"As investigating officer I am pleased that justice has been done and hope today's sentencing will bring some degree of closure to the victim. I also think this case should serve as a warning to others about the serious consequences to being a perpetrator of violence."