Kyle Purcell, 21, has been sentenced to nine years in prison following a violent spree in Burton-on-Trent on the night of March 11. Within minutes, Purcell physically assaulted two women, wielding a beer bottle as a weapon.
On Station Street, Purcell shoved the first victim to the ground and hurled a beer bottle at her, which shattered just inches away. He then targeted a second woman who was attempting to enter an Uber, swinging a bottle at her head and forcing her to evade the blow.
Though both women escaped serious physical injury, the attacks left them deeply shaken. After the assaults, Purcell fled the scene and deliberately set fire to his flat. Emergency services responded swiftly, and fortunately, no one was hurt in the blaze.
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At Stafford Crown Court on November 10, Purcell was found guilty following a trial of two counts of assault by beating, one count of threatening a person with an offensive weapon in a public place, and one count of reckless arson endangering life.
Detective Constable Reece Hingley of Staffordshire Police stated, “Purcell’s violent behavior endangered not only his victims but also himself and others in the vicinity. While no serious injuries resulted, the potential for serious harm was significant and the impact on the victims will be long-lasting.”