Shropshire Star

Football attack: Teenage thugs locked up after fan left fighting for life following Wolves game

Three Wolves fans who launched a "devastating" unprovoked attack on a rival fan after a game, leaving him with a life-changing brain injury, have been given custodial sentences.

Published

Joe Wood, Connor Pearson and Joseph Lister - who were aged 13, 14 and 18 when they stamped on and kicked Watford fan Nic Cruwys - pleaded guilty at previous hearings to wounding the father-of-two.

Wolverhampton Crown Court heard that Mr Cruwys spent three weeks in a coma after being attacked in the city as he made his way from Molineux to the railway station following a match in March last year.

The 44-year-old was knocked out as he fell to the ground following a punch, and was then stamped on and kicked three times despite being unconscious.

Wood and Pearson were named for the first time today after an appeal to the judge by the Express & Star, the Shropshire Star's sister paper.

Pearson, left, and Wood, right, can be named and pictured for the first time today thanks to a successful application to the judge

Last month, the conclusion of the case meant that the Express & Star could publish video of the attack for the first time.

It shows how Mr Cruwys was repeatedly kicked as he fell to the floor, before concerned members of the public gathered around to help.

Wood, now 15, of Woodstock Road, Wolverhampton, was ordered to be detained for 56 months after admitting wounding Mr Cruwys with intent.

Judge Simon Ward imposed a 30-month sentence on Lister, of Palmer Close, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, after the now 19-year-old admitted wounding.

Pearson, now 16, of Ettingshall Road, Wolverhampton, also admitted wounding and was given a one-year detention and training order for his part in what Judge Ward described as the "gratuitous degradation" of the victim.

The judge, who passed non-custodial sentences on two other defendants for public order offences, heard that Mr Cruwys, who was not wearing club colours, was attacked while with a group of friends.

Passing sentence, Judge Ward said of the victim: "He was injured so severely that he spent the next three weeks in a medically-induced coma and the next three months in hospital.

"He suffered extensive skull fractures and a traumatic brain injury. He was so badly injured that doctors told his family they didn't think he would survive."

Addressing the five defendants in the dock and a sixth defendant who was present in court but will be sentenced at a later date, the judge added: "Four of you in this room are responsible for all of that."

Pictured left to right, top to bottom: Lister, Pearson, Meer, Beech, Wood, Lloyd
  • Connor Pearson, 16, of Ettingshall Road, was given 12 months detention and an eight year football banning order (FBO) after admitting grievous bodily harm. He kicked Mr Cruwys in the back

  • Joe Wood, 15, of Woodstock Road, Wolverhampton, was handed a four years and eight month sentence and a 10 year FBO after admitting grievous bodily harm with intent. He stamped on Mr Cruwys' head.

  • Joseph Lister, 19, of of Palmer Close, Wednesfield, who was given. 30 months detention after admitting grievous bodily harm. He kicked Mr Cruwys

  • Ryan Meer, 19, of Watling Street, Gailey, pleaded guilty to affray and was given and eight months suspnded sentence and ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work. He was given a four year FBO. He stepped over tjhe unconcious victim to square up to another Watford fan.

  • Robert Beech, also 19 and of Springhill Road, Wednesfield, was given two months detention, suspended for 12 months, after admitting threatening behaviour.

  • Daniel Lloyd, 19, of Longfellow Road, Sedgley, had admitted grievous bodily harm but the case against him was adjourned as he had no legal representation. He punched Mr Cruwys to the ground.

Prosecutor John Hallissey told the court young children had witnessed the attack on March 7.

None of those convicted of wounding attended the match, instead gathering a pub, the court heard.

Wood, who wiped away tears and held his head in his hands after being sentenced, received a text before the attack instructing him to "get some boys together" after he told a friend around 80 Watford fans were at a pub.

Mr Hallissey told the court: "Mr Cruwys had been watching the match and made his way towards the railway station in order to go home, possibly via a pub.

"He didn't get that far because he was intercepted by this group. He appears simply to have been picked out of the crowd and attacked.

"What happened to him happened in a matter of a few seconds but the consequences will last for a life-time. From a very short incident he found himself grateful to be alive."

Former Wolves season-ticket holder Ryan Meer, 19, of Watling Street, Gailey, Staffordshire, admitted affray and was given a suspended eight-month sentence.

He was not involved in the attack and was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid community work.

Trainee estate agent Robert Beech, of Springhill Road, Wednesfield, admitted threatening behaviour and was handed a two-month suspended sentence.

Beech, 19, was also ordered to complete 100 hours of community work and given a three-year football banning order.

Judge Ward said of Mr Cruwys' suffering: "He was injured so severely he spent the next three weeks in an induced coma, and three months in hospital.

"He suffered extensive skull fractures among other serious injuries. He has continued to have treatment for his brain injury. He doesn't remember what happened, his friends had to explain to him.

"He had to learn to dress himself, wash and eat again. He hasn't been able to return to work, he worked as a professional driver for the previous 28 years.

"He can't even plan his day when he gets up in the morning.

"He told his wife Jodi that he can't see the point in his being. He may never be the same again.

He told Wood: "You stamped on his head while he was on the ground. He was already unconscious. You have admitted attempting to cause him really serious harm."

He told Pearson: "Yours was the first kick. You kicked him on the bottom, and that signalled your intent to be a part of this and you had no regret for the fact that he had already been badly hurt.

He told Meer: "You were very close to this while it happened. You stepped over Mr Cruwys to square up to someone else."

He told Beech: "You were part of the group and remained with the group while this was going on. Your offence was the least serious of those that I'm dealing."

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