Man assaulted in chippy after row over bad parking

Ary Aziz outside Liverpool Crown Court
-Credit:Liverpool Echo


A workman was battered with a mop at a chip shop amid a row over parking. Ary Aziz lashed out with the makeshift weapon when he was confronted for leaving his van blocking a road outside the takeaway while he was completing a delivery.

His assault continued even after the victim retreated out into the street. The victim was left with a broken arm and feeling like a "crumbled man" as a result of being repeatedly struck with the object.

Liverpool Crown Court heard today, Friday, that Jonathan Nolan was fitting signage to a shop on South Road in Waterloo at around 2pm on April 29 2023 when he noticed Aziz's van blocking a side street. The defendant continued to unload his vehicle into a chippy, which was located two doors down from the premises where the complainant was working, for around 15 minutes.

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Ryan Rothwell, prosecuting, described how Mr Nolan then entered the fish and chip shop and had to be held by a colleague as he confronted Aziz. In response, the 38-year-old armed himself with a mop and struck out at the "initial aggressor" in a "pre-emptive" strike.

Mr Nolan began backing away following this blow, but Aziz continued attacking him as he left the chip shop and was seen hitting out at his head, body and limbs with the weapon a further eight times in quick succession. Unbeknown to him, the mop contained a "sharp object" - believed to be a screw, although the object was never recovered.

This left the casualty in A&E with injuries including a broken forearm and a puncture wound to the upper back. It was initially feared that Mr Nolan may need an operation to correct the fracture, although he later "made a good recovery" without going under the knife.

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He said in a statement which was read out to the court on his behalf: "I used to go to the gym regularly with boxing training, but I can't do that any more. My life has chanced since this incident. I'm not the same person. I'm very depressed and emotional. I'm drinking more. I'm a crumbled man."

Aziz, of Devonshire Road in Toxteth, has one previous conviction for wounding in 2003. This related to an incident in which he attacked a man with a knife during a "dispute", leaving him with cuts to his arms and legs.

Sarah Griffin, defending, told the court: "There were clearly nasty injuries. It is very fortunate that the victim has made a good recovery. The defendant's previous conviction is aggravating, but I ask the court to take into account just how old that conviction is.

"Letters and references set out an entirely different side to this defendant's character. He is clearly a well respected man who contributes to his local community. He is a loving and committed partner and is hard working. He does not justify his behaviour. He has expressed victim empathy, awareness and shame. He has, since April 2023, stayed out of trouble."

Aziz admitted one count of wounding without intent. Assisted by an interpreter while appearing in the dock wearing a suit jacket over an open collared shirt, he was handed an 18-month imprisonment suspended for 18 months.

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Sentencing, Judge Louise Brandon said: "While the prosecution accept that Mr Nolan may well have been the initial aggressor, what you did went far beyond what was reasonable. The CCTV shows Mr Nolan backing out of the shop and you pursuing him.

"He did not hit you and he was not armed. His injuries were serious and involved a broken arm. Fortunately, surgery which had been arranged proved unnecessary. He was unable to exercise. His physical and mental health deteriorated. He describes himself as being a different person.

"You have a previous conviction for a like offence. This offending took place on a busy street. There were others who saw and witnessed what happened.

"You have expressed remorse and regret for your actions. There has been no further offending. I understand that you completed your last sentence, which is now some 20 years ago, without incident. There is clearly a different side to you."

Aziz was also told to pay £600 in compensation to Mr Nolan and will be required to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 15 days. His wife appeared to wipe tears from her eyes in the public gallery as the sentence was handed down.