Caught on video: Clubber loses eye in vicious city centre attacked triggered by taxi row
This is the horrific moment a reveller lost an eye in a brutal street attack in Birmingham city centre triggered by a row over a taxi.
The victim, aged 32, was whipped with a belt after leaving a nightclub after he tried to get into a taxi.
Moments earlier, Simeon Evans, 30, told him the taxi was his, and the victim gave way.
But an argument broke out anyway and Evans began attacking him. Jack Gargham then came to Evans' aid and the pair continued the attack.
As he fled, the victim tried to use his belt to defend himself, but Evans snatched it from his hand.
The victim fell to the floor and was kicked and punched to the head. He was then attacked with the buckle end of the belt, causing him to lose his eye.
Evans, 30 of Kempson Road, Bromford, was jailed for four years and 6 months and Gargham, 26, of Devon Road, Rubery was jailed for four years and five months at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday.
Sophie Sheldon a 20-year-old woman from Sarsons Avenue, Gwent, Wales was also involved in the attack and was handed a two years suspended sentence with a six months curfew.
She can be seen joining in the attack as the victim cowers on the floor.
Gargham was convicted after a trial of wounding with intent, while the other two pleaded guilty to the same offence following the attack on Bristil Road at around 6am on January 26 last year.
Dc Chris Smith, from the Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: "This was a completely savage and sustained attack on a man who was trying to defend himself from these thugs.
"The amount of mindless violence that was inflicted was totally over the top and was definitely fuelled by alcohol.
"After seeing the CCTV footage Evans and Sheldon were horrified by their actions and pleaded guilty at their earliest opportunity. However, Gargham showed no remorse and although admitting to a lesser offence of assault - he denied intending to cause the serious harm he inflicted - forcing the victim into a lengthy trial.
"The victim has had to go through an extensive amount of medical treatment including surgery.
"After an initial operation on his eye he needed further surgery and in March was told that he had lost the sight in his left eye permanently.
"He is still coming to terms with his injuries and has told me that he feels his live is over, and there's no opportunity left to him.
"We accept yesterday's decision and hope that the jail sentence brings some comfort to the victim."
