Violent thug, 28, who punched a Sikh leader in horrific daylight attack that left the 62-year-old with life-changing brain injuries is jailed for three years – as the victim’s family describe how the assault has ‘left an ever bleeding wound on our hearts’
- Claudio Campos approached victim from rear before ‘violently punching’ him
- Sikh priest Avtar Singh, 62, had been walking home from work with his partner
- But he was ‘left for dead’ after attack in centre of Manchester’s Northern Quarter
- Campos was jailed for three years at Manchester Crown Court earlier today
A violent thug who punched a Sikh leader in a horrific daylight attack that left him with life-changing brain injuries has been jailed for three years.
Claudio Campos, 28, approached Avtar Singh, 62, from behind before violently punching him in the head in the centre of Manchester’s Northern Quarter on June 23 earlier this year.
The Chilean defendant had pursued Mr Singh shortly after he walked past him and his Polish girlfriend at a pedestrian crossing.
Mr Singh, who was walking home from work with his partner at the time, fell unconscious in the middle of the road following the attack – where he remained until a member of the public called 999.
He was subsequently rushed to hospital, where remains more than three months later, having suffered a life changing brain injury.
Campos, of Ladybarn Lane, Manchester, was jailed for three years at Manchester Crown Court today, having earlier pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm.
Passing sentence, Judge Hilary Manley said: ‘Avtar Singh was aged 62 when you, without any justifiable reason, attacked him in the street in broad daylight in the busy streets of this city centre.
‘Mr Singh has been described by his shattered and broken family as a humble, gentle and peaceable man, a devoted follower of and priest within the Sikh faith, who regularly carried out selfless acts of charity for those in need of help.
‘A supportive, humorous, loving and hardworking husband and father.
‘As a direct result of your decision to attack him, his life, and the lives of his family, are forever traumatised, changed and diminished.
‘He was simply making his way through the city according to his usual routines. He was troubling nobody. He gave you no reason at all to do what you did.”
Campos, of Ladybarn Lane, Manchester, was jailed for three years at Manchester Crown Court today
The judge also rejected the defendant’s claim that he was remorseful and said that in a letter to her the defendant ‘very swiftly’ turned to his own situation and his appeal for a suspended sentence.
Speaking after the sentencing today, Mr Singh’s family paid tribute to the ‘truly brilliant, gentle and kind human being’.
In a statement, they said: ‘When our dad came to this country over 30 years ago, he never imagined that he would be the subject of such a heinous attack which has left him bed bound and in hospital for as long as he has been.
‘As a family, we are truly heartbroken and still struggle to come to terms with the reality of his future and the truth behind this crime.
‘He didn’t do anything to deserve this situation where he has permanently damaged his sight and lost complete mobility down his right side.
‘Although we will never get the strong powerful man, who is the light of our lives back, we are satisfied with the result given by the court today.
“Avtar is a truly brilliant, gentle and kind human being who has spent his whole life looking after everyone around him. He is a tremendous father, a hardworking husband and the most amazing priest who has served communities for generation after generation.
The statement added: ‘This attack hasn’t just left an ever bleeding wound on our hearts, it’s scarred an entire community who knew him to be the man he was and now isn’t.
‘We are grateful for the support that people have continued to provide and the justice that Greater Manchester Police have sought for our family.
‘Sadly, our fight does not end today as we continue to watch Avtar fight to gain back a quality of life that will see him through recovery.
‘We know now that we will never feel as safe as we once thought we were walking through the city centre in Manchester, given this situation was as unprovoked as it was brutal.
CCTV released by Greater Manchester Police showed the moment Campos punched Mr Singh in Manchester
Mr Singh, who has been left with life changing brain injuries, was ‘left for dead’ unconscious in the middle of the street
‘Our dad came to this country to work hard and teach others to preach kindness and move past any hatred in their hearts. It’s a true shame this person left an elderly man for dead in the middle of the street.
‘The law has fought part of our battle today but we will never be able to piece back the strength and the happiness that our dad was so amazingly built upon.’
The court had earlier heard how Campos told police his partner said a man had touched her bottom and she pointed to Mr Singh.
Eleanor Myers, prosecuting, said Campos was seen on CCTV footage pursuing Mr Singh who was trying to walk away from him.
Mr Singh then walked on to Tib Street in the city’s Northern Quarter and was approached from the side by Campos who punched him twice to the head in quick succession.
Campos went on to grab his victim’s shirt before he delivered another punch to the head which sent him sprawling to the ground and Campos on top of him.
He pushed himself off his victim and then coolly left the scene as Mr Singh lay unconscious in the middle of the road.
He went on to a sports bar for a beer and a burger with his girlfriend, Claudia.
Campos remained at large for three months until police received a tip-off after a CCTV appeal for help from the public.
When arrested a number of items were seized at a property in Fallowfield including a fully packed suitcase containing the jacket he wore that was captured on CCTV.
Campos said in interview he was out celebrating his fifth anniversary together with his girlfriend.
He said he had followed Mr Singh to ‘demand an explanation’ and that when Mr Singh quickened his pace he felt ‘this made him guilty in trying to escape’.
Campos said he had thought of handing himself in when he realised the extent of Mr Singh’s injuries from the media appeal. He felt ‘very sorry’ for what had happened.
Campos pleaded guilty last month to inflicting grievous bodily harm.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury, of Greater Manchester Police, said: ‘This was a horrific attack of a much loved family member and community leader which deeply shocked the public.
‘I hope today’s verdict gives Mr Singh’s family some relief that the person who has harmed their husband and father has now faced justice and will be sent to prison.
‘I would like to thank the public for their help with our investigation and our thoughts are very much with Mr Singh, we hope he is able to return home soon.’
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