A man who punched another man unconscious outside a pub in Torfaen has been handed a suspended sentence. The victim, Luke Davies, suffered a fractured skull, fractures to both eye sockets, and a bleed on the brain. His family was told he might not survive.
Unprovoked attack outside The Lounge bar
Michael Hitchings, 36, of Michael Crescent, Malvern, Worcestershire, punched Luke Davies outside The Lounge bar in Tredegar on February 15 last year. The incident occurred after Hitchings initially intervened to break up a scuffle between Davies and another man. The court heard that Hitchings then left the pub, tapped on the window to call his brother outside, handed him his beer, and walked towards Davies before punching him once in the face. The blow knocked Davies unconscious, and he fell to the ground. Hitchings stood over him before being pulled away by his brother. The attack was described in court as an "unexpected and entirely unprovoked" assault.
Victim's critical condition and lasting injuries
Davies was taken to Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran, where he was treated for a fracture to the back of his skull, fractures to the roof of both eye sockets, a collection of blood on the left side of his skull, and bleeding and bruising to the brain. In a victim personal statement read to Cardiff Crown Court, Davies said: "My family were told I may not make it and to prepare for the worst due to the bleed on the brain." He reported ongoing issues with his eyesight, tinnitus in his right ear, and a loss of smell and taste. He also said he had been unable to spend time with his daughter and was close to losing his life, leaving her without a father.
Defendant's background and sentencing
Hitchings pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm and had no previous convictions. The court heard he is on universal credit and unable to work due to anxiety. His defence stated that he initially tried to defuse the altercation and placed the victim in the recovery position after the assault. Hitchings is in a stable relationship, regularly sees his three children, and supports his mother, who is undergoing cancer treatment. Recorder Greg Bull KC sentenced Hitchings to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered him to complete a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement and a 90-day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement. The recorder remarked: "This was another example of drunken behaviour in the high street late at night."
