Jason Bancroft jailed for seven years for vicious attack

Jason Bancroft, 43, has spent the majority of his adult life in prison for violent offences, and today (Wednesday, July 12), appeared before Preston Crown Court charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent against innocent victim, John Brindle.

Bancroft, of Norfolk Close, Accrington, was found guilty at a trial earlier this year of the unprovoked attack, which took place on January 21.

The court was told how the defendant had been drinking in Clayton-le-Moors Conservative Club since around 6pm, but had been making “a nuisance of himself”.

Other customers in the club made attempts to escort him from the premises, and an exchange took place between Bancroft and a man he knew, a man 20 years his senior – John Brindle.

Jason Bancroft (Image: Facebook)

Recorder Paul Hodgkinson said: “So angry were you that you left the Conservative Club but felt the need to go back and sort it out.

“During that sorting out you uttered words to the effect of you were going to ‘kill’ Mr Brindle.

“You again left and went to the Albion pub across the road and were seen drinking and having a nice time with your friends.

“I have no doubt that at some point you formed a plan to seek revenge for what you felt was an insult given by Mr Brindle.

“At 10.30pm, Mr Brindle started off home. He put his Burnley hat on and went walking home after having a good few pints. He would say he was eight or nine out of 10 drunk, which wasn’t unusual.

“At that point you had sourced a lift to his house where you went to attack him.

“You put on a balaclava to disguise yourself. You are a big man in stature.

“When John Brindle was walking home, minding his own business, you jumped out at him wearing a balaclava.

"Being the big man you are, this must have been terrifying for him, as it would be terrifying for anyone else.

“You can even be heard [on CCTV] enjoying the fear you created in him.

“But it didn’t stop there – you went on to punch and kick Mr Brindle about the face and body around six or seven times and you kicked him while he was on the floor – he’s 20 years your senior.

“You then skulked off and left him on the ground.

“I form the view that this was a mean, planned, nasty attack and it was borne out of revenge for an insult that you had received earlier in the day.”

Mr Brindle suffered broken bones in his face, and Recorder Hodgkinson said Bancroft showed “not a single ounce of remorse” for his actions, despite being told he was sorry for causing the situation that led to Mr Brindle being assaulted.

Bancroft was also sentenced for being concerned with cannabis cultivation dating back to September 2021, an offence he pleaded guilty to on July 7.

Police attended the defendant’s house and discovered four rooms filled with cannabis plants along with growing equipment, lighting, fans and carbon filters to neutralise any odours.

In total 85 plants were recovered, which would yield around 3.4kg of cannabis with a street value of £34,000.

Bancroft denied the cultivation belonged to him and said he had been paid £200 a week to act as a gardener for the grow.

Bancroft, who has 32 convictions for 70 offences, was jailed for seven years and six months.

He was also handed a restraining order in respect of his victim, until further order.