Intruder punched sleeping man after discovering him asleep in ex-partner’s bed

Victim suffered broken nose in attack

- Sentinel Reporter

A LOVE rival broke a man’s nose - after launching a sucker punch while he slept.

Daniel Pierpoint entered his ex-partner's home after she failed to respond to his messages on March 23 last year, using a key he still had for her Leek address.

North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard he then flew into a fit of rage after discovering another man lying in her bed.

Prosecutor Julia Fox told the court: “The victim was woken up after being assaulted by Mr Pierpoint.

“The victim was asleep when he was attacked with no chance to defend himself. He was left suffering with a broken nose and the psychological impact of the attack.

“Text messages reviewed by the police revealed that there was a level of planning to this unpleasant and unprovoked attack.

A victim impact statement written shortly after the assault was read to the court.