Ashley Blake victim will spend compensation on plastic surgey

Sep 15 2009 EXCLUSIVE - By Christina Savvas

Mr Jones, who was 17 at the time of the incident on January 25, needed 10 stitches from his lip to his chin.

He said the ordeal had “never left his mind” and played a part in him failing his recent A-level exams at The Streetly School.

The payout depends on how the victim is deemed to have been affected. but CICS guidelines show he could get anything between £1,500 to £11,000 for physical scarring. A further tariff could be granted for physiological damage.

Mr Jones can also launch a separate civil action against Blake which is likely to be more lucrative.

If he is successful in both claims then the lesser sum has to be paid back.

Although the incident happened at Blake’s former bar and restaurant The Place 2B, Chester Road, Sutton Coldfield - a public liability insurance policy could be void because it was deemed the attack was deliberate.

Mr Jones could then go after Blake’s assets directly - and sue under civil law.

Blake, a former Watchdog presenter, who has a grown-up son from a previous relationship, was convicted of unlawful wounding and attempting to pervert the course of justice by throwing the pole he used to attack Mr Jones away into a neighbouring garden centre, in an attempt to conceal it from the police.

He later admitted to lying to officers on a number of occasions.

During court proceedings it emerged he had a string of previous convictions including a number for theft and driving offences.

He was dismissed by the BBC following an internal inquiry.

During sentencing, Judge Peter Carr told Blake, 40, he would serve at least half of the sentence before being eligible for release on licence for what he described as a “deliberate” attack.

Blake’s legal team have said he is seeking to appeal the sentence.

Mr Jones said: “I am not surprised he is appealing.”

“It just shows that he is not man enough to realise what he has done and take the punishment he deserves.”