'Vicious' attack was 'motiveless'

2:18pm Wednesday 16th July 2008

A 39-year-old man was punched to the ground and kicked as he left a wedding reception in Stourport in what a judge described as a "vicious and motiveless attack".

The reason for the violence was a puzzle, said defence counsel Tariq Shakoor, and the only excuse that Barry Watkins could offer was that he was drunk.

Watkins, 20, of Dunlin Drive, Kidderminster, was jailed for 16 months after pleading guilty at Worcester Crown Court to assaulting James Loveridge causing actual bodily harm.

The men had been friends, said Mary Wallace, prosecuting, but when Mr Loveridge left Stourport Workmen's Club on January 5 with his wife and 14-year-old daughter, he was attacked.

After punching him to the floor, Watkins kicked him in the head several times. Mr Loveridge was cut on the eyebrow and admitted to hospital but discharged himself. He returned two days later complaining about blurred vision. He has since been treated and his sight returned to normal.

Watkins had previous convictions for assault but Mr Shakoor said he regretted an attack upon a man who had been a friend for many years.

Judge Alistair McCreath said Mr Loveridge's injury could have been much worse. Kicking a person on the head could lead to death as well as causing very seious injury.