Teenage “monster” left talented rugby player close to death after frenzied attack

A talented rugby player has had all his hopes and dreams of a top-flight sporting career destroyed by a random street attack which left him close to death.

The teenager was left with life-threatening brain injuries when another youth followed him and after knocking him to the ground repeatedly punched him to the head while he lay unconscious.

It was such a horrific unprovoked attack that even his attacker, Owen Thompson, who was so drunk he cannot recall the incident, described himself as “acting like a monster” when shown CCTV footage of the assault in Warrington town centre.

Thompson, aged 17 of Kimberley Street, Bewsey and Whitecross, Warrington, wept when he was sentenced to four and a half years in a Young Offenders Institution. The judge lifted a section 4.5 order preventing him from being identified.
Thompson admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent to his victim, who was also 17 and also pleaded guilty to assaulting the victim’s female friend who had tried to intervene between the two young men but was knocked to the ground before Thompson launched his frenzied attack on him.

Chris Taylor, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court that the incident took place in the early hours of November 27 in Bridge Street.
The two victims, who had been school friends, had met by chance while out and about 3 am they were walking towards a taxi rank.
Thompson and a companion walked past them but the defendant then turned back and was “aggressive and shouting ‘come on lad’ and ‘do something’,” said Mr Taylor.
Neither of them reacted. The male turned round but his female companion said, ‘come on, it’s not worth it.’

A woman witness said that the victim “didn’t want to get into any drama with the ginger boy.”
The CCTV footage showed Thompson run a few paces to catch up with the couple with his arms outstretched and while the female victim tried to get between them she was knocked to the ground.
Thompson punched her friend to the ground and was captured on the footage punching him six times as he lay there defenceless. Thompson’s companion pulled him away and they both ran off with their hoods up.

The victim was taken to Aintree Hospital and was sedated, ventilated and monitored in the intensive care unit. He had bleeding on the brain and a bolt was inserted to monitor pressure.
He had also suffered bi-lateral fractures to his sinus bones and a swollen jaw.
Mr Taylor read impact statements written by the victim’s mother who explained how her son had found it too difficult to articulate his feelings having been badly affected physically and emotionally.
He has been told by medical professionals that he will never be able to play rugby again, which she described as having been “everything” to him including his social life.
“He had aspirations to pay at the highest level. This will now not happen,” she stated.

His impaired vision affects his distance perception often leading to him walking into doors and the scarring on his face is a daily reminder of his ordeal.
His co-ordination and grip have been affected and he has changed from a laid back easygoing lad who enjoyed socialising with many friends to being anxious and stressed with a reduced circle of pals. He constantly checks on the safety of his family when they are out.
He used to like wild camping and hiking, solo holidaying but his co-ordination is now too poor to do so. He is an apprentice welder but is now only able to go to work one or two days a week and been unable to attend college.
She said that he is still suffering from fatigue though attends a gym for specially tailored exercises including strength training. He has now been able to get out to shops and pubs but has panic attacks and has to return to the safety of his home. He is still awaiting physiotherapy and counselling.

His female companion on the fateful night stated in her impact statement that she constantly replays the events in her head “reliving it daily whenever I close my eyes.”
She finds it difficult going out at night with friends and fears another random attack could happen.
Mr Taylor said that arrangements were made for Thompson to hand himself in, which he did, and he made no comment when interviewed.

Mark Shanks, defending, said that Thompson, who turns 18 next month, has no previous convictions and worked as an apprentice floorer.
“He cannot remember what happened. He remembers going for drinks which was highly unusual and has not happened since. The last thing he remembers is drinking shots…. the next thing he remembers is being awoken by the police, identified and taken to a police station.”

When shown the CCTV footage he was filled with shame and the fact he does not remember the incident will be part of his punishment for life as he cannot resolve what his thought processes had been that night.
The defendant was described as “shy, loving and caring” and his greatest emotion was not for himself but for his victims. Mr Shanks said that Thompson and the main victim “sort of knew each other but there had been no bad blood.”

The judge, Recorder David Knifton, KC, said that the victim had suffered life-threatening and life-changing injuries after the “unprovoked and vicious attack” for which there was absolutely no motive.
He pointed out that when the victim was rushed to hospital with a traumatic brain injury he was found to have the lowest level of consciousness on the Glasgow coma score with the next one being dead.
He has been left with cognitive impairment with his memory and concentration affected, has symptoms of PTSD and his personality has changed, said the judge.
“His final prognosis will not be known for some time to come.”
It was uncertain if he will be able to resume full-time as a welder and he was a keen and talented rugby player who had aspirations of playing at top-flight levels but has been advised to stop playing “which has been a devastating blow to him.”

The judge said that Thompson comes from a good family with a caring and supportive mother and siblings and references described him as “helpful, courteous, kind and well-mannered.”
He said that when shown the CCTV footage Thompson described himself as “acting like a monster”.
“You did not try to minimise your actions and expressed regret for the enormous harm you caused.”
But Recorder Knifton said, “In my view the level of force used in this unprovoked attack and the devastating life-changing consequences for him mean I would be failing in my public duty if I did not impose a sentence of immediate custody.”
Thompson lent on the rail of the dock in tears and his mum and other women in the public gallery also cried. As he was led away he shouted out, “I love you mum.”