Bouncer left blinded by stiletto attack calls for harsh sentence

Despite staying upbeat and continuing to work as a bouncer, the 28-year-old still suffers from daily headaches and discomfort.

He branded 37-year-old Sarah Marsden "despicable" for the attack which left him in agony.

Marsden now faces a possible prison sentence after pleading guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday to assault.

Mr Roach, the club's head bouncer, had fallen to the ground with Marsden's partner, Anthony Walker, 49, while escorting them away from the door after they had been refused entry due to their drunken state.

Mr Roach said: "I try not to think about her and what she did, because she's a waste of space and not worth it. It was an unprovoked attack.

"When I was on the ground she knew what she was doing. I don't know if she was aiming for my eye but she was definitely going for my head.

"Since she's pleaded guilty she'll get a lesser sentence, but I hope she's goes inside for as long as possible for what she did.

"The impact of what happened has been really hard. I had to explain it to my daughter, which has been the hardest part, and it's also affected my life and work.

"It's changed my life but I've tried to stay positive with the help of family and friends."

Mr Roach completed his last day at work at the Le Monde complex, which includes Shanghai, on Saturday and has now taken over as head bouncer at the Three Sisters in the Cowgate.

He added: "It will be something that I have to live with for the rest of my life. I'll have to visit the Eye Pavilion, probably on a yearly basis, to have the eye socket cleaned.

"It has affected my balance and peripheral vision, which can cause difficulties at work, but the staff at Le Monde were so supportive during times when I had to be off for operations and things.

"The false eye has worked out better than the doctors expected. It'll never look the same as before but it's a big improvement."

Fiscal depute Pauline Shade told the court yesterday that Mr Roach helped a colleague deal with a drunken Marsden and Walker just minutes before he was attacked on 25 July last year.

Mrs Shade said Walker threatened to strike one of the door staff with a bottle before they were shepherded back on to George Street.

Mrs Shade said: "Mr Roach made to walk away from the accused. However, Marsden spat directly into his face.

"Mr Roach then turned around to take hold of her arm but he collided with the accused Walker and both Mr Roach and Walker fell to the ground."

Marsden then launched the attack on Mr Roach.

Marsden, of Cables Wynd House, Leith, admitted carrying out the assault while Walker, of the same address, pleaded guilty to breach of the peace.

Sheriff Neil MacKinnon deferred sentence for background reports until next month.

Savage assault was 'completely unprovoked'

A FATHER-OF-THREE who launched an unprovoked alcohol-fuelled attack on a man and broke his arm has avoided jail.

Michael Mills, 30, has been ordered to pay 2,400 compensation and perform 200 hours of community service.

Mills had been on a night out with his wife and friends when he attacked David Lister.

Mr Lister was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and treated for cuts, bruising and swelling to his head and face and a dislocated right shoulder. He also had multiple fractures in his arm, which required a metal plate on the bone.

Mills had earlier claimed he assaulted Mr Lister because he believed he was "chatting up" his wife, an allegation Fiscal Depute John Kirk said was completely unfounded.

Mills, of South Gyle Mains, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday to face sentencing for assaulting Mr Lister on 15 August last year in South Gyle Wynd. Sentencing Mills, Sheriff Elizabeth Jarvie said: "This attack was completely unprovoked and had very serious consequences for the victim.

"It was, however, inexplicable, entirely out of character and you are assessed as being at low risk of reoffending."