A PONTYPOOL woman was given a suspended sentence for her part in an attack which left a man blind in one eye.

The 32 year old man was left permanently blind in his left eye after he was hit with a belt during an alcohol-fuelled row about a taxi in Birmingham city centre.

Sophie Sheldon, aged 20, from Samson's Avenue, Pontypool pleaded guilty to the assault and was given a two year suspended sentence with a six-month curfew at Birmingham Crown Court on January 14.

WATCH: CCTV footage of the horrendous attack

Simeon Evans, 30 of Kempson Road, Bromford, also pleaded guilty to the assault, while Jack Garghan, 26, of Devon Road, Rubery, pleaded not guilty but was convicted by the jury.

The trio set about the man as he left a nightclub on Bristol Road at around 6am on January 26 last year.

As he tried to get into a taxi Evans approached him and told him the taxi was his. The man told him to take the taxi but an argument began and he was attacked by Evans.

He tried to defend himself but Garghan came to the aid of Evans and the pair began reigning blows on him.

As he tried to run away Evans and Garghan took chase – the victim pulled the belt from his trousers to defend himself but Evans snatched it from his hand.

As he fell to the floor they kicked and punched him to the head and with the buckle end of the belt they attacked his face which resulted in him losing an eye.

The court was shown compelling CCTV evidence that showed the belt being grabbed, and them taking chase and then assaulting him.

Evans was jailed for four years and six months and Garghan was jailed for four years and five months.

Detective Constable Chris Smith, from the Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: “This was a completely savage and sustained attack on a man who was trying to defend himself from these thugs.

“The amount of mindless violence that was inflicted was totally over the top and was definitely fuelled by alcohol.

“The victim has had to go through an extensive amount of medical treatment including surgery.

“He is still coming to terms with his injuries and has told me that he feels his live is over, and there’s no opportunity left to him.”