Bat thug teen locked up for attack that changed victim's life

The blow left Tariq Mahmood with weakness to the right side of his body and difficulties with both speech and memory, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

The injury was so serious that a section of the skull of the 37-year-old had to be removed during surgery, causing permanent disfigurement.

The jury at an earlier trial cleared his attacker of attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent, but convicted him of the lesser charge of causing grievous bodily harm. He had been remanded until yesterday for sentence.

Mr Robert Price, prosecuting, said: "These events have had a profound physical and psychological effect on Mr Mahmood and his family. There has been permanent disfigurement arising from the removal of a portion of his skull."

Mr Trevor Siddle, defending, said: "The defendant accepts he hit Mr Mahmood with the bat but it is unlikely, given the verdict on the more serious counts and the medical evidence, that the jury believed there was more than one blow. But the event and its consequences will remain with the defendant for the rest of his life."

Mr Mahmood was attacked outside his Dudley home at the start of August last year after going to the assistance of his 19-year-old stepson Ajmal Choudhary who was fighting with one of several people who had arrived at the address.

The 17-year-old of previous good character - who was 16 at the time, cannot be identified for legal reasons and had the time spent in custody awaiting trial deducted from the proposed sentence before it was passed - received an 18 month detention and training order.

Judge John Warner told him: "You made a decision to take the bat from the car and pitch into the fight. You then deliberately hit the injured party over the head causing catastrophic injuries but I am satisfied you had not intended such grave harm."