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Amy Coleman

Amy Coleman

Photo of the victim, Carl Benham

Photo of the victim, Carl Benham

Amy Coleman is a pregnant mother of two from Wrangle, Lincolnshire, England. In May 2018 she was sentenced to nine years in prison after she shoved a beer glass in a man's face so hard that he lost an eye during a pub argument. [1]

Personal Life

Amy Coleman is a mother of two and his due to give birth to her third child on May 25, 2018.

She became pregnant while awaiting trial.

[1]

Criminal Record

Photo of the Marine Boat House Bar where the attack took place

Photo of the Marine Boat House Bar where the attack took place

On Friday, May 12, 2018 Amy Coleman was sentenced to nine years in prison after shoving a beer glass in Carl Benham's face so hard that it exploded causing him to lose an eye.

She had been found guilty of grievous bodily harm. The incident took place at the Marine Boat House Bar at Skegness, Lincolnshire on February 25, 2017. [1]

Benham later had to have his left eye removed, and his ongoing sight problems meant he lost his job as a seasonal worker and is unable to drive.

This lead him to become homeless. The court was told he continues to suffer headaches and is awaiting a further operation. He has also suffered depression since the incident. [1]

Judge Pini said: "The tragic reality is that Mr Benham has suffered grievously and a substantial custodial sentence is a tragedy for your children. I bear in mind particularly the effect this sentence will have on your children and your as yet unborn child." [1]

Prosecutor Siward James-Moore said the attack happened after Coleman, whom he described as 'a very angry woman', confronted Mr Benham, who was out celebrating his 30th birthday.

Benham briefly left the venue to get some money and when he returned found his way to the bar blocked, the jury heard.

James-Moore said: 'She was shouting at him.

He accepts that he shouted back at her.

"At that point a female threw a drink over him.

He had just started to clean himself up when the same female came towards him.

He pushed her causing her to stumble backwards.

At this point another female held a pint glass in her hand and threw the glass hitting his face damaging his eyeball.

All he was aware of was his mouth filling up with blood."

Two witnesses told the jury that the glass was thrown by a woman in a black strappy top, which matched the description of Coleman.

Coleman later told police that she did not assault Benham and did not witness the incident in which he lost his eye.

In evidence Coleman told the jury: "I was being gobby.

He was giving me as good back.

I was really close to him.

The bouncer and Mr Benham's friend were between us."

She denied she then glassed Benham and said: "I remember the bouncer was there.

I just heard a gasp.

The next minute I looked up at Benham and his face was bleeding.

I genuinely don't know how he was glassed by anyone.

It wasn't me."

David Eager, defending, said that Coleman was regarded as a good mother to her children and has no previous convictions.

He said: "Any sentence will hit this young woman very, very badly.

What she did that night was appalling but it was a single blow, it was out of character and it was an isolated incident.

There was no pre-meditation.

I ask you to pass as merciful a sentence as you can."

During the trial Benham said: 'I knew my face was cut.

I couldn't see.

It flapped all my cheek open.

I lost the eye.

It's gone.'

Speaking after the sentencing, he said: "I know I shouldn't but I feel guilty.

She (the attacker) is going to have a baby and probably spend just a couple of weeks with it and then go to jail for a long time.

I have kids and I just feel bad."

"I wish it was me going to jail because I'm at rock bottom - I have no job and I've lost my home.

Every day I have to ring round to see whose sofa I can stay on that night - at least if I was in jail I'd have a bed."

He added: "My other eye has always been weaker and I've struggled with forms.

I don't like waiting for appointments because I think people are looking at me - it's been a problem.

I missed the Victim Support payment for hardship, have no money, and have had no help.

I have nothing."

References

[1]
Citation Linkbbc.comBBC News: Amy Coleman glassed Carl Benham in Skegness
May 12, 2018, 7:22 PM
[2]
Citation Linkdailymail.co.ukDaily Mail: Heavily pregnant mother-of-two who shoved a beer glass in a man's face so hard it caused him to lose an eye is jailed for nine years
May 12, 2018, 7:24 PM
[3]
Citation Linkywqaugeunhowzrcj.public.blob.vercel-storage.comPhoto of the victim, Carl Benham [-1]
May 12, 2018, 7:58 PM
[4]
Citation Linkywqaugeunhowzrcj.public.blob.vercel-storage.comPhoto of the Marine Boat House Bar where the attack took place [-1]
May 12, 2018, 7:59 PM
[5]
Citation Linklincolnshirereporter.co.ukLincolnshire Reporter: Pregnant woman jailed for glass attack
May 12, 2018, 8:01 PM