One punch victim 'now a shell of a man' compared to before says mum
Jamie Kelly was attacked two years ago in Scarborough
The County Durham mum of a Scarborough one punch victim says he is now a 'shell of a man' compared to how he used to be.
43-year-old Jamie Kelly was attacked on Ramshill Road during the day near a pedestrian crossing on the 16th of September 2021.
He lost half of his skull while neurosurgeons were treating a bleed on his brain at Hull Royal Infirmary.
Jamie is showing slow yet encouraging signs of improvement, but the severity of his injuries means he is likely to require specialist care for the rest of his days.
He has recently undergone surgery to put a titanium plate in his head to fill the gap.
His mum, Brenda Wilthew, who lives in Spennymoor, said: "I'm still heartbroken to see our son go from being up there and this happening to him. He's progressing bit by bit but he's not the boy that he was. He used to be fully daft. A proper funny, funny lad. He was absolutely brilliant but from going to what he was, he's a shell of a man.
"Different little tasks he tries to do but you always have a worry because you're frightened in case he falls. He has got a pendant but his dad's not far from him but it's a constant fear of everything going on.
"Our Jamie's anxiety is through the roof. He won't go out on his own. He even got his electric bike but I think he's only been on it twice. He just doesn't have the confidence compared to what he had and all through this one punch it's heartbreaking."
Brenda has this message for parents: "Your sons and daughters, make sure they know what they are. If they've had a drink, I know it's easy saying 'don't fight and stay away from trouble'. Even now, if I'm out anywhere and I see people arguing, the fear's rising in my heart because I'm terrified it's going to happen to somebody else."
Court case
The man responsible for Jamie’s condition is 34-year-old Daniel George Johnson.
Johnson was arrested nearby and was later charged with Section 18 wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
However, the court accepted a guilty plea to the lesser charge of Section 20 grievous bodily harm.
He was sentenced to two years and five months’ imprisonment at York Crown Court on 7th March 2022.
Detective Constable Peter Day, of Scarborough and Ryedale CID, led the investigation into the assault and has provided support to Jamie’s parents throughout this ordeal.
He said: “This has been a truly horrendous experience for Jamie and especially for his parents who thought they were going to lose their son.
“No outcome at court will undo the devastation that Johnson caused with one punch.
“The victim personal statements of Jamie’s parents were read out in court during the sentencing. “Brenda and Michael have given their blessing for us to publish the statements on the force website and on social media to show the full catastrophic impact this one punch attack has had.
“I urge people to read them and make sure younger members of the family learn from this case.”
North Yorkshire Police campaign
North Yorkshire Police has teamed up with the One Punch UK charity to help prevent tragic deaths and life-changing injuries.
The campaign is initially targeting men aged 18 to 35 at pubs, bars, gyms and sports clubs over the summer holidays, and again during the festive period.
Then in September, coinciding with ‘One Punch Awareness Week’ between 18th and 22nd September, there will also focus on secondary school children.