A SOUTHAMPTON man left his uncle partially blind after attacking him in an alcohol-fuelled rage at his home.

Abdi Foinsiyo attacked his relative on October 20 this year after he drank a bottle of whisky in a park.

Having not taken his mental health medication, the 33-year-old of Kent Street turned up at his uncle’s home.

Southampton Crown Court heard Foinsiyo threatened the victim in the street - prompting him to call police. It's then Foinsiyo burst into his home.

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Grabbing the phone, the violent attacker told the call handler he was “going to kill” his uncle before hanging up and continuously punching his family member in the face for more than 30 seconds.

Despite his victim trying to escape twice, Foinsiyo pulled him back into the room, continuing his assault, prosecutor Shona Probert said.

The attack ended when Foinsiyo left the room, at which point his uncle made his escape.

Police arrived and threatened Foinsiyo with a Taser before arresting him. 

He later admitted the entire attack.

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His uncle was left with serious injuries including fractures and his eye coming out of its socket.

Months after the attack he is still unable to see through the eye with doubts about it ever recovering.

In a statement read out in court, his victim said: “The incident has had a huge impact on my life in every way. My eye is still the same. I still can’t see.

“I’m much worse off financially as I have had to finish my other job as a security guard.

“I also had to move out of the city out of fear of seeing him again.

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“It’s given me terrible trauma. I often have flashbacks. As if this whole incident is taking place again.”

Foinsiyo, who has 14 previous convictions for 17 offences, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Mitigating, Mark Butler said: “Had it not been for his mental illness he wouldn’t have committed this offence.”

He added that he has “made very good use of his time in custody”, completing 25 in cell packs, which Recorder Daniel Sawyer remarked was the most he had ever seen.

Mr Sawyer added that this was “excellent work and a true testament to what you can do when you are well”.

Daily Echo: Southampton Crown Court. Southampton Crown Court.

However, the judge said it was a “prolonged and persistent assault” that warranted a sentence that could not be suspended.

He jailed Foinsiyo for two years and made him subject to a restraining order, banning him from contacting his uncle until further notice from the courts.

Detective Inspector Christian Reid-Milligan, who led the investigation, said: “The victim was so badly injured that his right eye came out of its socket and he has since lost vision in that eye.

“While the damage Foinsiyo did cannot be undone, I hope this result shows our dedication to reducing serious violence in Southampton and demonstrates we will support victims and get those responsible to court.”

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