Great Barr pub attacker may face death charge as victim dies three years after assault

Stephen Jolley followed John Mercer outside the Special Spices pub in Great Barr on September 23, 2013, hitting his victim with an uppercut, causing him to fall back and smash his head on the road.

Jolley was jailed for four years in July 2015 after being found guilty of grievous bodily harm after a trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

However, an inquest at Oldbury Coroners Court yesterday heard that Mr Mercer died aged 28 on July 2 this year due to 'delayed complications as a result of a severe brain injury'.

Since the attack, which left him in a 'vegetative state', Mr Mercer had been living at Leabrook House Nursing Home in Tipton, having moved from his home in Green Lane, Great Barr, where he lived with his parents.

Diane and Paul Mercer, the parents of Mr Mercer, yesterday paid tribute to their son, who they called 'a credit to our family'.

Speaking to the Express & Star, they said: "Our son's life was ruined at age 25, he was a hard worker, a builder who was well loved and would help anybody.

"He was a credit to our family and we miss him everyday."

During the inquest Det Sgt Stewart Nicol said the force was looking to charge Jolley, of Claverdon Drive, Great Barr, with manslaughter and was in the process of compiling the required paperwork to do so.

Det Sgt Nicol said legal advice had been sought and the relevant material gathered.

"We hope to have everything in place by Christmas to supply the CPS with everything they need to re-charge Mr Jolley," he said. "Our preferred charge will be manslaughter."

On the evening of the attack, Jolley and Mr Mercer had become involved in a argument inside the pub, once known as The Asbury Tavern, on the corner of Bowstoke Road and Newton Road.

Following the attack – that lasted just nine seconds – Jolley fled and was arrested a short time later.

Coroner Zafar Siddique suspended the inquest on Mr Mercer.