A thug who terrorised shop staff while dressed as The Joker has been jailed for 16 years after smashing a man’s skull by dropping a bowling ball from an upstairs window 14 feet above him.
Damien Hammond, 31, started shouting at council workers who were removing a television set from below his flat in Nottingham on December 30, 2019.
He yelled that the TV was his and then hurled the ball, which was wrapped in a pair of jeans, from 14 feet above on to the employee’s head.
The victim collapsed on the pavement as bloody streamed down his face as he was rushed to hospital with a fractured skull and brain trauma.
Damien Hammond (dress as The Joker in a mugshot from 2018), 31, started shouting at council workers who were removing a television set from below his flat in Nottingham on December 30, 2019
After emergency services arrived a stand-off ensued between police officers and Hammond, who refused to come down and chucked down more items.
Hours later he emerged on to the window ledge and threatened officers with a hammer.
He eventually dropped down from the window ledge at 2:30pm and was arrested.
Hammond was found guilty of grievous bodily harm at Nottingham Crown Court on December 11 and admitted affray.
He was handed a 16-year sentence at the same court on Friday, and will serve at least 12 years.
Hammond previously appeared in a police mugshot in a distinctive purple jacket, green shirt and makeup to mimic the comic book villain The Joker after embarking on a terrifying crime-spree in 2018 which saw him jailed for 22 weeks.
He yelled that the TV was his and then hurled the ball (pictured), which was wrapped in a pair of jeans, from 14 feet above on to the employee’s head
Councillor Rebecca Langton, Portfolio Holder for Communities at Nottingham City Council, said: ‘We welcome this significant custodial sentence handed down today.
‘It sends out a strong message that both the council and police will vigorously pursue through the courts anyone who attacks one of our workers.
‘We remain shocked and saddened by this terrible incident last year and have been supporting our staff member during his recovery.
‘To be assaulted in this way while simply doing his job is totally unacceptable. We will not tolerate violence towards our staff, and I would like to thank the police for their work on the investigation.’
In 2018, Hammond admitted a string of charges including criminal damage, obstructing a police officer, and possessing cannabis.
He also pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct towards staff in branches of Tesco Express and Shoe Zone.
Nottingham Magistrates’ Court heard he also waved a gun-shaped cigarette lighter while standing among traffic.
On hearing his sentence, Hammond, who appeared in court with bright green hair, screamed: ‘Send me to prison, I don’t care.’
As he was led to the cells, Hammond shouted at the judicial officers: ‘See what you have done, I will kill today!’
His offences took place between March and April just six miles away from the village of Gotham, in Nottinghamshire.
Hammond, who is well known around Nottingham for his obsession with Batman and The Joker, was also banned from the city centre for three years.
The court heard Hammond went on a crime spree after he was given a 21-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, on April 17, 2018.
He was spared jail on that occasion after admitting theft, possession of an offensive weapon and indecent exposure.
Justices of the Peace said his behaviour ‘revealed a course of blatant criminal behaviour’.
The court also heard that wearing clothes and makeup to look like The Joker had a ‘sinister, aggravating effect’ on his victims.
Hammond’s 2018 crime spree:
August 14: Disorderly conduct toward store staff at Tesco Express.
August 15: Obstructing a police officer in St Peter’s Square.
August 23: Disorderly behaviour toward staff at Shoe Zone.
August 23: Disorderly conduct toward a police officer in South Parade.
October 9: Possession of cannabis in Collin Street.
October 9: Disorderly conduct in Collin Street.
— to www.dailymail.co.uk
