Ludlow footballer jailed over booze-fuelled attack on friend

A talented Shropshire footballer "came close to killing" a friend in a booze-fuelled fight outside a busy town centre pub, a crown court heard.

Ludlow Town defender Luke Hicks left Kevin Phasey with a broken jaw in three places and swelling to the brain after punching him in the face and kicking him.

Shrewsbury Crown Court heard yesterday Hicks, 21, of Dahn Drive, Ludlow, who was sentenced to 52 weeks jail, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 200 hours unpaid work, had argued with Mr Phasey at the Compasses pub, Corve Street, Ludlow, before inviting him to fight outside.

In a 30-second attack, Hicks punched Mr Phasey, breaking his jaw, then swept his legs from underneath him, forcing his victim to bang his head against a kerb.

The court heard he continued his attack against his unconscious victim.

Mr Kevin Jones, prosecuting, said: "A punch was thrown by Hicks, all the witnesses saw the sweeping of the legs and the hitting of the head. Witnesses said they thought he was dead."

The attack in 2009, left Mr Phasey in hospital for 12 days. He was kept in a coma and had brain surgery.

After being arrested Hicks, who has represented Shropshire at football and rugby, told police "I don't care, he had it coming".

Hicks, who admitted grievous bodily harm, was also given a curfew from 7pm to 7am, is to be electronically tagged and was placed on 12-month supervision order. He was also ordered to pay £2,000 compensation and £1,000 costs.

Judge Robin Onions said: "He could have killed him and was close to killing him."

Mr Walter Bealby, for Hicks, said: "He is totally remorseful about what happened."