MAN ATTACKED 'VULNERABLE' VICTIM WITH BRAIN DAMAGE OVER 'DRUG DEBT'
A vulnerable man with brain damage and physical disability was blackmailed when he could not pay for cannabis to relieve his pain.The man owed Dean Barsley £125 for cannabis but could only pay £100.
Barsley became angry and assaulted him by punching and kicking.
The victim, who had never been in a fight before and was unable to defend himself, was terrified and contacted his mother afterward.
Barsley threatened further violence and damage to his flat, demanding an additional £100 the next day.
The incident was reported, leading to Barsley's arrest.
He was found guilty of blackmail and assault causing bodily harm after a trial and sentenced to four years in jail on September 22.
The court also imposed an indefinite restraining order preventing Barsley from contacting or visiting the victim, who was using cannabis to help reduce pain, a point acknowledged by the court.
Barsley has 17 previous convictions for 24 offences, including affray and theft, and had seemingly turned his life around until this incident.
As he was led away to serve his sentence, he said to a woman in the gallery: 'Love you my girl!
They can lock the locks but they can't stop the clocks.
Tell my kids I love them.'
