Justice for Josh Morgan: Jail terms atrocious, says council leader
Justice has not been done over the unprovoked attack that left Josh Morgan within an inch of his life, the leader of Cannock Chase Council said today.
Backing the Express & Star's Justice for Josh campaign, councillor George Adamson described the lenient prison sentences handed to Josh's attackers as 'atrocious'.
"This is a shocking case and clearly justice has not been done," he said. "The punishment does not fit the crime. It is disgusting that this has been allowed to happen."
Mr Adamson's comments came as online petition hit the 4,000 signature mark.
The former Staffordshire police officer added: "This is awful for Josh and his family. We can only imagine the pain they are going through. This should not be allowed to happen. I hope that the sentences can be extended and that the Justice Secretary will look at this case."
Cannock Chase MP Amanda Milling is to raise the case with Justice Secretary Michael Gove.
Josh was hit twice by James Robb behind Poundland in Cannock town centre in March last year.
He was hit was such force that he was unable to break his fall and hit his head on the ground.
He fractured his skull, suffered swelling and bleeding to the brain.
He has been left brain damaged and immobile and has recently returned home.
He can only communicate with his eyes, limited arm movements, and has started to try to pronounce single words.
Robb, 23, and co-defendant Alistair Douglas, 26, both amateur boxers from Cannock, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm after prosecutors dropped the higher charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent.
It meant the maximum prison sentence on offer was only five years.
Robb was jailed for three years and Douglas for 27 months, but because of the amount of time they spent electronically tagged they will be out in nine months and two months respectively.
The sentences have sparked outrage in Cannock because the pair will spend so little time behind bars.
Prosecutors said medical reports could only prove one punch despite Robb admitting hitting Josh twice. The pair then dragged Josh's unconscious body across the Backcroft car park before being spotted by a passer-by.
You can show your support for the campaign by signing the petition calling for longer sentences at www.change.org
