Barry Connaughton from Chatham, jailed after Rochester woman injured at Jolly Caulkers pub
05:00, 07 May 2024
updated: 16:05, 09 May 2024
A woman was knocked out after a fight in a high street pub.
Zoe Jennings was enjoying a night out after seeing a Tina Turner show in November when she was punched by a stranger.
The 42-year-old from Rochester said: “My friend and I went into the Jolly Caulkers pub in Chatham High Street after our show finished at the Central Theatre.
“I don't remember exactly what happened, it's all a bit confusing, but there was a bit of a scuffle and I was punched in the face, knocking me out and breaking my nose.”
Barry Connaughton, of Chatham, appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday (May 1) where he was sentenced to 26 months in prison for two counts of grievous bodily harm.
The second charge relates to another incident involving a man in a pub earlier that evening.
Zoe suffered a cerebrospinal fluid leak - which is caused by a break in the barrier between the brain and roof of the sinuses - around her nose.
She said: ”I had surgery on my nose and I can no longer smell or taste.
“I also have vision loss in my left eye, which I'm waiting on professional opinions on. It could be glaucoma, caused by trauma.”
CCTV footage revealed Zoe was knocked out for seven minutes before she was taken to Medway hospital where police interviewed her.
She is currently volunteering to help build her confidence after the incident affected her mentally too.
She said: “I'm scared of guys, and I can't sleep. I wake up at night covered in sweat.
“I have had to go to a lot of doctor's appointments now but my mum or sister has to take me because I can no longer drive due to my vision.
“I can't go shopping or go out where there are lots of people.
“My family and friends were there on the night and I think they're more traumatised than I am because they saw it and the aftermath.
“They saw me on the floor with blood all over me, not knowing whether I was alive or dead, which really affected them."
Speaking about his conviction, Zoe said: “I didn't go to court. I couldn't do it, so my two aunts went.
“I think his sentence is ridiculous, to be honest. He's going to kill somebody, he’s got a very violent temper.
“He's a danger to society. He was just a complete stranger to me. I'd never met him before in my life.
“If he did five years for his last violent attack, then he should have got more than what he got this time because he obviously hasn't learned his lesson.”
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