Shocking moment violent pair high-five after vicious assaults that left one victim partially blind

Watch: Violent pair high-five after vicious assaults which left one victim partially blind

This is the shocking moment two men high-fived each other just moments after they launched a “horrific” attack that left two victims with life-changing injuries.

Jamie Elston, 32, and David Ratcliffe, 34, were caught on CCTV leaving a property on Razia Court in Workington, Cumbria, in the early hours of New Year’s Day last year.

They hugged and congratulated each other as they walked away from the scene, having attacked Christopher Whineary and Ashley McKenna while they slept.

Elston and Ratcliffe, who had been drinking for several hours and had taken cocaine, broke into the property at around 3.30am.

Having smashed the doors down, Elston said to Ratcliffe: “Go get a knife. We might as well kill them now.”

Ratcliffe, who was armed with a hammer, and Elston then smashed their victims’ mobile phones before beginning their attack.

Ratcliffe punched and kicked one of the victims to the head and face, while Elston kicked and punched both men in the head.

Following the attack, both victims were warned not to go to the police and Elston and Ratcliffe left the property at 5.22am.

Police were called at around 9am after concerned neighbours saw blood on the front door.

Whineray was admitted to hospital with injuries including a fractured nose, a cut above his left eyebrow, multiple cuts inside his mouth and a swollen face.

He has also been left permanently blind in one eye.

McKenna was airlifted to hospital in Newcastle, where he was put into an induced coma and on life support having suffered a severe, life-changing brain injury.

He underwent surgery and has been left unable to speak, needing round-the-clock care.

Ratcliffe and Elston were later arrested and admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent on the basis that no weapons were used during the attack.

Prosecutor Brendan Burke said the motive for the attack was unknown, but each victim had previously been in a relationship with past partners of Elston and Ratcliffe.

Both men have now been jailed following a sentence hearing at Carlisle Crown Court.

Judge Ian Unsworth told them: “Knowing what you had done, in a quite breath-taking, chilling and sickening image, you could be seen hugging and congratulating each other, in high spirts, your brutal work done.

“You evinced pleasure from the pain and suffering you had inflicted.”

Ratcliffe, 34, of Falcon Place, Workington, was jailed for 21 years and seven months while Elston, 32, of Iredale Crescent, Workington, received a 21-year prison sentence.

Both men are also subject to extended five-year licence periods.

They were also banned from contacting the victims for life.

Detective Chief Inspector Hayley Wilkinson, of Cumbria Police, said: “This was a violent and sustained attack which has resulted in extremely serious, life-changing injuries to both victims...

“The actions of Ratcliffe and Elston could easily have resulted in loss of life that evening. However, the consequences of the assault continue to be felt to this day.”