During a court hearing, John Leach, a repeat offender with 21 prior convictions for violent offenses, wept uncontrollably as the details of his brutal assault on Gary Rigby unfolded. The attack occurred after Rigby reprimanded Leach’s girlfriend for driving in the wrong direction on a one-way street.

In a courtroom scene filled with emotion, John Leach, aged 34, was sentenced to over six years in prison for brutally assaulting Gary Rigby with a metal wrench in the presence of his children. The incident occurred during an argument at a Bonfire Night fireworks display.

Leach, a hardened criminal with a disturbing record of 21 prior convictions for violent offenses such as common assault, actual bodily harm, robbery, affray, threatening behavior, and attacks on law enforcement and emergency personnel, wept throughout the proceedings at Liverpool Crown Court.

According to the Liverpool Echo, the attack unfolded in front of Mr. Rigby’s girlfriend and their two young children, leaving the father unconscious and bleeding on the ground. The severity of the assault resulted in Mr. Rigby being rushed to the hospital with multiple injuries, including a skull fracture, a brain bleed, a deep 10cm head wound that required stapling, and an abrasion on his left knee.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that following the incident, John Leach, residing on Colworth Road in Speke, fled the scene in his girlfriend’s car. However, thanks to witnesses reporting the vehicle’s license plate, the police were able to locate him.

Leach pleaded guilty to the charge of Section 18 wounding, which involves causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Prosecutor Graham Pickavance informed the court that the altercation occurred when both Mr. Rigby and his family, as well as Leach and his girlfriend, were leaving a fireworks display at Moreton Hills Golf Centre.

Leach’s girlfriend, driving a Renault Captur, reversed the vehicle in the wrong direction on a one-way road. Mr. Rigby, who was walking with his children, shouted at her, informing her that she was going the wrong way.

In response, Leach, who was a passenger in the car, exited and engaged in a brief argument with Mr. Rigby before returning to the vehicle.

As they drove away, Leach menacingly shouted, “I know who you are, Gary Rigby,” and “I’ll find out where you live. This isn’t over.”

Reportedly, Mr. Rigby pursued the vehicle for a short distance before returning to his family. They proceeded to Morton train station, where they discovered the Renault Captur parked by the roadside.

Leach retrieved a metal tool, believed to be a wrench, from the car’s trunk and used it to viciously assault Mr. Rigby, striking him repeatedly on the head.

Judge David Swinnerton addressed Leach, expressing the gravity of his actions, stating, “Both you and the victim are fortunate that he was not killed. The consequences would have been devastating for his family, as well as for you. You willingly took that risk.”

In defense of his client, David Polglase acknowledged Leach’s genuine remorse and a level of self-awareness regarding his behavior.