Father-to-be is locked up over Bridgnorth attack and robbery
A father-to-be who befriended a man before attacking and robbing him will be behind bars for the birth of his baby after being jailed for three-and-a-half years.
Richard Billingham, 23, and his co-defendant Dean Stockton, 22, left their victim, Jonathan Ham, with fractured bones and permanent scarring to his face.
Shrewsbury Crown Court heard the men played pool in the Falcon pub, Bridgnorth, last August, before Mr Ham went to withdraw cash for a taxi. When he returned he found the men had left so went outside and a car driven by Billingham, of Cradley Heath, pulled up with Stockton inside.
Prosecuting, Mr Robert Edwards said: "He was invited to get in, he did so and the car was driven off. It was stopped in a layby as the occupants needed to use the toilet."
The court heard that Billingham punched Mr Ham who tripped to the floor and was kicked in the ribs. The court heard how Billingham, of Wallace Road, shouted: "Give me your wallet".
The victim threw it towards him. The kicking and punching continued so he threw his phone and car keys.
Stockton, of Tasley, Bridgnorth, received an eight-month prison sentence suspended for two years after pleading guilty to grievous bodily harm. Billingham admitted robbery and assault occasioning grievous bodily harm. He was jailed for three years and six months for the robbery and 12 months for the assault, to run concurrently.
