Thug who fractured brother's eye in row over drink of water is jailed

Ian Willingworth hit his brother Wayne in the face fracturing an eye socket during the dispute, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

The 28-year-old with a history of violence suddenly turned on the unfortunate victim who had shown him 'nothing but kindness,' it was said.

Wayne had gone to the home of his brother in a bid to resolve unspecified 'difficulties' that were troubling the man, the court was told.

But short tempered Willingworth suddenly snapped, sparking an argument over a drink of water.

Wayne was knocked unconscious by a single blow that nearly cost him his eyesight, the court heard.

Willingworth from Glyn Avenue, Bilston, had denied a charge of wounding his brother but he was found guilty by a jury after an earlier trial and had been remanded for pre sentencing reports.

Mr David Swinnerton defending said: "He is a man who plainly has a short temper and does not know how to control it. This was a sudden loss of temper in a petty argument over a drink. It was one punch and had he wished to have caused his brother more serious harm he could have."

Recorder Oscar Del Fabro jailed Willingworth and told him: "This was a mean and nasty offence in which you struck a cowardly blow from behind when your brother had no chance of protecting himself.

"You had been in a mood from the outset and he was knocked senseless. Then while he was on the ground, you were laughing and you taunted him.

"It was despicable. You have not been able to face up to the stark reality of what you have done. You caused a serious injury and he nearly lost his eyesight. A blow to an unprotected head can cause life changing injuries and even death. It was all your fault yet you have not shown a shred of remorse for your actions

Willingworth, who had a string of previous convictions for attacks on his brother and partners, was told he represented a significant risk to 'people who became close to him.'