Victim vows to re-build his life after Slaithwaite attacker Russell Davies is sentenced

Dec 10 2010 by Joanne Douglas, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

“HE’LL never be able to do this to anyone else again.’’

Those were the words of victim Shane Fitzpatrick who was left fighting for his life by a violent former Royal Marine in Slaithwaite.

As Russell Davies was jailed indefinitely for the public’s protection, his victim said he had to begin to re-build his life after the attack.

Shane, 27, had enjoyed a night out with friends and had only met Davies hours before being subjected to a vicious beating by him.

At the time he could never have known Davies’ history of violence. But he sat through the sentencing hearing yesterday at Leeds Crown Court as Davies was revealed to be a Jekyll and Hyde character.

Russell Davies, 28, of Woodside Terrace, Greetland, has been told he will only be released from prison if he can prove he is no longer a risk to the public.

It’s something dad-of-one Shane welcomes. After spending a month in hospital and twice being revived by doctors, he said it was in the public’s best interest Davies was not released.

“He won’t be released if he’s not safe to be and he won’t be able to do this to anyone else again.

“He could serve the rest of his life in jail.

“It has brought some closure. It’s been difficult for us all, especially my mum who watched me go through all of this. I’m glad for her it’s over really. I just want her to be happy now.

“We’ve all got to put this behind us. I need to get my life back.”

Shane, of Longroyd Crescent, Slaithwaite, had enjoyed a night out with friends at the Shoulder of Mutton pub in May this year.