Boxer who put teen in coma with punch jailed

An amateur boxer who put a teenager into a coma during "sickening" drunken violence in Wolverhampton city centre has been jailed for 18 months.

Richard Davies was on a 12-hour cider drinking binge when he punched Thomas Barratt with such force, the 18-year-old was knocked out cold and suffered a fractured skull and severe bleeding. Davies also attacked Mr Barratt's friend Michael Powell when he tried to break up the violence in Broad Street in the early hours of January 25.

Others with 22-year-old Davies, including two women, also piled in, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told. It is not clear what sparked the trouble as the two groups walked towards each other at 3am, said Mr Hugh O'Brien-Quinn, prosecuting.

It was heard Davies punched Mr Barratt so hard it knocked him unconscious, leaving him in a coma for a week and he eventually had to have a titanium plate fitted in his skull. He now suffers from epileptic fits that have left him unable to drive.

Timothy Fieldhouse, aged 24, of Aldersley Road, Tettenhall, and Sam Wapshott, 19, of Liontree Road, Bilbrook, joined Davies in attacking Mr Powell, who was knocked to the ground and kicked. All three pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm while Davies, of Burland Avenue, Claregate, also admitted grievous bodily harm.

Sophie Haden, 19, of Burland Avenue, pleaded guilty to affray and Claire Jackson, 20, of Green Lane, Claregate, admitted a public order charge.

Davies, had a drunk and disorderly conviction from 2007. Defending him, Mark Knowles said Davies was filled with remorse and had not drunk since.

Fieldhouse was given a 16-week prison sentence suspended for 18 months. Wapshott and Haden were given 16 weeks and 12 weeks detention respectively in a young offenders institution, suspended for 18 months. Jackson and Haden were ordered to do 120 hours of unpaid work.