Owen Lowry, 28, of Borough Road in Tranmere, has been sentenced for an unprovoked assault on a father and son at the Prenton Park pub in Wirral. The attack left 17-year-old Liam Stafford with a fractured skull and a bleed on the brain. Lowry walked free from Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday after receiving a suspended prison sentence, with Judge Neil Flewitt KC warning him he had escaped custody by "a hair's breadth."
Unprovoked Assault Caught on CCTV
The incident occurred shortly before 11pm on Saturday, May 16, at the Prenton Park pub in Tranmere. CCTV footage showed Lowry first punching Graham Stafford, the father, who was sitting on a bar stool. The blow caused a cut to his eyebrow. Lowry then handed his beer glass to someone else—which the judge said was to free his hands—and punched Liam Stafford twice. The teenager fell back, hitting his head on the bar, and was knocked unconscious for approximately two-and-a-half minutes. Blood was seen coming from his ear.
Serious Injuries and Hospitalisation
Liam Stafford was taken to hospital where a CT scan revealed a fractured skull and a bleed on the brain. Fortunately, no operation was required, and he was discharged the following day. He declined to make a victim personal statement, leading the judge to conclude that he made a full recovery with no lasting symptoms. Lowry initially answered "no comment" during police interview and claimed he was in a fight, which the judge dismissed as "clearly untrue" since the assault was unprovoked.
Previous Convictions and Background
Lowry had previous convictions dating back to 2016, when as a teenager he received a 12-month training and detention order for robbery. More recently, he received a suspended prison sentence for two battery offences, which also occurred in a pub. Judge Flewitt noted that Lowry has "a tendency to violence when he has been drinking" and that his latest crimes were aggravated by his violent history in similar circumstances. However, the judge acknowledged limited personal mitigation, including that Lowry's partner is pregnant, he has stable accommodation and employment, and he suffered the death of his mother.
Sentence and Conditions
Lowry was initially charged with assault by beating and section 18 grievous bodily harm with intent, but he admitted assault by beating and an alternative charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm, which was accepted by the prosecution. Judge Flewitt imposed a 14-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. Conditions include 25 days of rehabilitation, alcohol abstinence monitored by a tag for 90 days, and 250 hours of unpaid work. Lowry was also ordered to pay £1,750 compensation to Liam Stafford and £250 to his father. The judge warned him: "You have come very close to losing everything. I hope by working for your father that will not be an issue." Lowry, supported by his family in court, said "thank you judge" before leaving the dock.
