Man jailed after one-punch attack in Cumbria left man needing brain surgery
It happened back in April
Last updated 7th Jun 2024
A man has been jailed after what police describe as a 'brutal and unprovoked' attack in Cumbria.
29 year-old Liam McConnell, of no fixed address, one-punched a man which left him needing brain surgery. He admitted to a charge of Grievous Bodily Harm.
The court heard how in the early hours of Sunday 14th April this year, he had travelled in a taxi with another man when they stopped at the corner of George Street leading to Church Street in Whitehaven and got out of the taxi.
Another man, the victim, seeing the taxi stop, stepped towards it thinking he could use it to get home.
McConnell then became aggravated and aggressive at this and was heard to say to the man: "What the f*** do you think you're doing?"
The victim replied that he was “just trying to get home”.
Following this, McConnell assaulted the man with a single punch to the head, knocking the man flat onto his back, his head hitting the concrete floor.
Despite the victim clearly being in need of urgent medical attention, McConnell walked away from the scene.
An ambulance was called and the man was rushed to hospital – first West Cumberland Hospital before being transferred to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle where he underwent emergency brain surgery after suffering a subdural haematoma.
Detective Constable Benjamin Agnew said: “This was a completely unprovoked assault which has left the victim with injuries that will impact the rest of his life.
“Time and again we see the life-altering impact that a single punch can have – not just on the victim but the person throwing the punch.”