A violent thug ‘unexplainably’ attacked an 80-year-old man in Rochdale was known for ‘ending up in town and wanting to punch someone’s head off’.
Joshua Greenwood, 27, has been jailed today (December 4) for two years and eight months for a series of unprovoked attacks on three men in two incidents. He was sent to prison at Minshull Street Crown Court today after pleading guilty to two offences of causing grievous bodily harm and one offence of causing actual bodily harm in previous court dates.
Greenwood, of Shaftesbury Drive, Rochdale, attacked a man in the town centre on November 26, 2021, leaving him with serious injuries. He was hospitalised.
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The victim suffered serious injuries, including multiple fractures of the eye-socket, cheekbone and jaw, and required corrective surgery. Police said he has still to make a full recovery.
Then, a few months later on February 5, 2022, a father-and-son were out in Rochdale. The 80-year-old and his adult son were walking down Packer Street, and passed Greenwood and another man.
Greenwood began to punch the older man to the face and head, causing him to fall to the ground and hit his head on the street . The two men then attacked his son when he attempted to help his father, also punching him to the ground.
The attack came just hours after a friend had texted Greenwood he was surprised he was on a night out because he ‘always ended up in town and wanting to punch someone’s head off’. The other man involved in this assault earlier pleaded guilty and received a fine.
Greenwood was then arrested in the days after the attack. After hearing of the sentence today, DC Russell Clarke, from GMP’s Rochdale division said ‘Greenwood is unlikely to realise the magnitude of the impact he has had on the victims in this case’.
“He is a man of significant size and on two occasions, he used his physique to inflict serious injuries on people unlucky enough to find themselves within his reach,” DC Clarke added. “He punched them as hard as he could to the face, completely unprovoked, with absolutely no consideration for the consequences of his actions – consequences which for these victims included life-changing physical, emotional and psychological harm.
“Greenwood behaved this way towards a man in his eighties who was simply out enjoying an evening with his son. Having fractured the eye-socket, cheekbone and jaw of another victim, he is captured laughing and dancing on the dance-floor before leaving the premises. This victim has now had his driving licence revoked by the DVLA as a result of the eye injury he sustained. The attack continues to have a devastating impact on his life.
“During his first suspect interview, Greenwood described himself as a ‘peacemaker’, who could de-escalate situations and prevent violence. When later confronted with evidence indicating he was in fact the opposite, he decided not to answer questions.
“It is hoped that the sentence imposed today is sufficient to ensure Greenwood never inflicts harm like this on anybody again. Greater Manchester Police will do all that is necessary to ensure that those who engage in acts of violence are caught and confronted with the full force of the law.”
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
