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A man has been jailed for five years following a violent assault at a Sheffield petrol station last year that left the victim with a collapsed lung and two fractured ribs.

Ian Askey, aged 48, of Upper Greenhill Gardens, Matlock, in Derbyshire, was due to stand trial last month over the incident which left his victim badly hurt on Wednesday 8 December 2021.

But with his trial nearing, he admitted Section 18 wounding.

Askey attacked the man at the Jet petrol station on Northfield Road, Crookes at about 6.20pm on 8 December.

The victim was standing at the counter inside the forecourt shop when Askey walked in, picked up two bottles of wine and then stood very close behind him. The victim put his arm up to ask Askey to please maintain his distance.

Askey initially stepped back, before stepping forward again and punching the victim in the face. Askey continued to assault the victim, causing him to fall to the ground. Rather than stop, Askey continued his assault with his victim on the floor for several minutes. He then left in his vehicle.

As well as the collapsed lung and fractured ribs, the victim also suffered multiple cuts and bruises to his face.

Askey was stopped in his vehicle a short distance down the road, where he was subsequently arrested.

Detective sergeant Lee Freeman of South Yorkshire Police’s Sheffield CID team, who led the investigation, said: “This was a violent and completely unwarranted assault that left the victim badly hurt just for asking for his personal space to be respected in the midst of a global pandemic.

“This type of incident will not be tolerated, and we are glad this sentence has been handed to Askey for what he did.

“By admitting guilt close to the trial, we are also pleased that the victim has been spared re-living this nasty incident in a court room. We hope it brings some sort of closure for him so that he may now continue with his life.”

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