Robert Gary Cass  was sent to prison for eight years after a police investigation into serious assault on the Isle of Wight.

An investigation by detectives from Isle of Wight CID led to Robert Gary Cass being jailed on Wednesday, for an assault that left the victim Joe Triccas (pictured) disabled.

An investigation by detectives from Isle of Wight CID led to a man being jailed at the island’s Crown Court on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 for an assault that left the victim disabled.

Robert Gary Cass, aged 26, formerly of Queens Road, Ryde, was sentenced to eight years in prison.

A jury found Mr Cass guilty on Tuesday (December 8th, 2009) of grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent against 19-year-old Joseph Triccas outside an address in Slade Road in Ryde in September 2007.

Mr Triccas, who is now aged 22, received serious injuries in the assault, which has left him partially paralysed.

Investigating officer, Detective Sergeant David Pilbeam of Isle of Wight CID, said: 

“More than two years of persistent team work by police officers and staff reflects our commitment to ensure offenders who commit serious crimes on the Island will not escape justice. This case is a warning about how one person’s casual attitude to using violence can have severe and lasting consequences for someone’s life.”

Family Liaison Officer, Detective Constable Julia Steele of Isle of Wight CID, said:  “Joe Triccas and his family have shown tremendous courage in adapting to the physical and psychological demands of disabilities in someone so young, and coping with the emotional strain of an extensive Crown Court trial.”

Joe Triccas said: 

“My life has been turned upside down. A blood clot was removed from my brain, I was in a coma for six weeks, and in hospital for 18 months. My head, speech, right arm and right leg remain affected. I need a wheelchair because I can only walk short distances because of muscle problems. I was in a very dark place mentally but I now keep trying to do all I can to talk and walk properly again.

Joe added:

“I don’t know how I would have got through this without my family and friends. I want to say thank you to the nurses, doctors and police officers who’ve helped me. They were absolutely fantastic.”

His mother, Queenie Triccas of Wootton Bridge, said: 

“The whole family has changed emotionally but we’ve become closer than before. Our Family Liaison Officer Julia Steele has been a tower of strength from start to finish. Joe left hospital in April this year, and we’re looking forward to having him back at home for Christmas.”