Brockley man Peter Rowley jailed for seven years after assaulting a man at Walpole Pub, New Cross

Unemployed Peter Rowley, of Dressington Avenue, Brockley, was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on July 18 after pleading guilty to assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The court heard that on September 2 last year at around 1.49am Rowley approached the 21-year -old victim at the Walpole Pub, in New Cross Road, New Cross, after being asked to leave the venue along with other people.

Moments earlier a disturbance broke out between two women and the victim assisted bar staff to break it up.

Staff decided it was time to close and for everybody to leave.

It was at this point Rowley approached the victim, picked up a glass bottle and hit him over the head.

Officers attended the scene and were provided with a description of Rowley, which resulted in his arrest a short time later on New Cross Road near Pagnell Street.

The victim was taken to hospital to receive treatment for a head injury which resulted in a blood clot on his brain leaving him permanently paralysed on the left side of his body.

He remained in hospital for several months to receive intensive treatment and now requires a wheel chair.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Rorie Poole, said: “Mr Rowley carried out a vicious, unprovoked attack by picking up a glass bottle to hit a man from behind.

“Mr Rowley’s aggressive behaviour has now left the victim having to rely on a wheelchair and medical care for the rest of his life.

“Mr Rowley may think that seven years will be a long time to serve in prison but that is nothing compared to the life sentence he has imposed on his victim.”