A man who partially blinded his girlfriend’s mother in a ’shocking’ eye gouging attack had been told to expect a long jail sentence.
Dale Norman, aged 40, of Barn Park Road, Teignmouth, admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Theresa Graham in the attack on April 22 this year.
She lost the sight of one eye when he deliberately thrust a finger into it during an argument at a house in Paignton.
Judge Erik Salomonsen adjourned his sentence at Exeter Crown Court and ordered the probation service to assess whether Norman poses a risk to the public and should be classified as a dangerous offender.
He said: ‘This was a shocking offence. These courts see many shocking offences but this is a particularly shocking case. Anyone sentencing the case will need a report which considers dangerousness and risk.
‘This was clearly an extremely distressing event for those involved and they will want to draw a line under it as soon as possible.’
He told Norman: ‘There is no doubt you will receive a lengthy prison sentence. The length of that sentence will depend on everything the judge sees, hears or reads.’
Mr Gordon Richings, prosecuting, said two further charges of common assault on other people who tried to intervene are likely to be dropped in the light of Norman’s plea to the most serious charge.
Miss Heather Hope, defending, said she plans to put material before the court at the next hearing which will mitigate the sentence.
The case was adjourned until August 2 and Norman was remanded in custody.