Vulnerable man subjected to 'mean and degrading' attack by group

FOUR people have been convicted of subjecting a vulnerable man to a violent ordeal which included blowing chilli powder in his eyes.

- by PAUL GREAVES

Danny Partridge, 25, has been jailed for his part in the cruel assault which happened in Barnstaple.

Three co-defendants who appeared with him for sentence at Exeter Crown Court were spared prison.

Paul Healey, Ashley Burton and Victoria Youd all pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm.

The judge said it was a “rather depressing and wretched case” and all four defendants took part over a prolonged period of two weeks in August of last year.

Prosecutor Emily Pitts said the violence involved a number of incidents and left the man sustaining injuries, including a black eye. She said chilli powder was blown into his eyes. He was given a towel to wipe it away but that too had been covered in chilli powder.