Attorney General's Office
The Court of Appeal has today increased the sentence of Samuel Armstrong from 5 years and 4 months to 9 years.
Samuel Armstrong pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent on Andrew Toseland. He was sentenced on 6 September 2013 at Portsmouth Crown Court to 5 years and 4 months imprisonment. The attack resulted in Andrew Toseland suffering a severe traumatic and permanent brain injury that will require 24 hour care for the rest of his life.
Speaking after the hearing, which he presented, the Solicitor General, Oliver Heald QC MP said:
Until that night of 25th August of last year, Andrew Toseland had a happy and peaceable life. As a result of the vicious attack by Samuel Armstrong, he can no longer enjoy the simple pleasures in life. He cannot speak. He cannot eat or drink. He cannot walk or even sit unaided. He will require 24 hour care for the rest of his life. The effect on him and his family has been devastating.
I asked the Court of Appeal to look again at this case as I felt the injuries inflicted on Mr Toseland were of the utmost possible seriousness. This was a prolonged attack, fuelled by drink and drugs and in my view required a longer term in prison. I hope the public will be reassured that the Court agreed to increase his sentence to 9 years.