A group of teenagers have been jailed today (Friday 9 Septemember) for over eight years for attacking Watford fan Nic Cruwys after a football match in Wolverhampton last year.
Five teens pleaded guilty at Wolverhampton Crown Court on 18 August, while a 15-year-old boy pleaded guilty to his involvement at an earlier hearing.
Nic was left for dead by his attackers after he left the Molineux and walked back towards Wolverhampton train station with friends on Saturday 7 March last year.
The court heard that he tried to get away from the group after they started shouting at him near Littles Lane but he fell over and was repeatedly punched and kicked as he lay unconscious on the ground.
Nic was taken to New Cross Hospital and then transferred to the QE in Birmingham where he was found to have a fractured skull and a bleed to the brain.
He was put into an induced coma and when he awoke 10 days later tests found he had suffered life changing neurological damage.
Nic spent over three months in hospital and a rehabilitation centre before returning home where he continues to receive treatment on a regular basis.
Police launched a major investigation and, after scouring CCTV and appealing to the public for witnesses to come forward, those involved were identified.
(Pictured left to right, top to bottom: Lister, Pearson, Meer, Beech, Wood, Lloyd)
Joseph Lister, aged 19 of Palmer Close, Wednesfield was handed 30 months detention and an eight year Football Banning Order; and 16-year-old Connor Pearson, of Silverbirch Road in Wolverhampton, was given eight months and an eight year Football Banning Order, both for grievous bodily harm.
Ryan Meer, aged 19, of Gailey in Staffordshire, was given an eight month sentence suspended for two years for affray and ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work and Robert Beech, aged 18, of Springhill Road in Wednesfield, was given two months detention suspended for 12 months and a three year Football Banning Order after admitting threatening behaviour.
And 15-year-old Joe Wood, of Woodstock Road in Wolverhampton, was sentenced to four years and eight months detention and a ten year Football Banning Order for grievous bodily harm with intent.
Daniel Lloyd, aged 19 from Longfellow Road, Sedgley, will be sentenced at a later date after admitting grievous bodily harm.
The judge at today’s hearing lifted reporting restrictions allowing the release of the names of the defendants under the age of 18.
And Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club has today confirmed that all six have been banned from Molineux for life.
Detective Sergeant Adam Keen, from West Midlands Force CID, said: "We are pleased with today’s sentencings and hope that the end of this case will bring some comfort to Nic and his family.
"Nic is continuing to receive regular treatment to help him recover from what happened. It was an appalling, unprovoked assault that has left lasting damage.
"During the course of the investigation we made several appeals to the public for information and received dozens of calls which have helped us to secure these convictions. I want to thank everyone who came forward and assisted us."
Nic’s family added: "We would like to say a huge thank you to West Midlands Police for their extensive work and support we have received over the past 17 months. Also, to those who came forward to assist the police and gave evidence during the trial.
"Although Nic will never fully recover, we are now hoping to try and move on with our lives and try and put the horrific situation behind us.
"We are delighted that the people involved have been charged and hope that the verdict reflects the injuries Nic suffered and our family’s pain and suffering caused by their mindless actions."
↧