Man left cousin with devastating brain injury after punching him outside a bar

A football fan has been spared jail after a single punch caused a life-changing brain injury to his cousin.

Mark Wyatt punched his cousin Anthony Robson while they were out drinking following Sunderland FC’s last match of the season in May 2024, after post-match ‘banter’ turned into an argument.

But the force of the blow caused Anthony to fall backwards onto the road, causing two bleeds on the brain which led to surgeons removing 40% of his skull during life-saving surgery.

Anthony spent two-and-a-half months in hospital, including four weeks in intensive care, before being transferred closer to his home in Leicestershire for more rehab.

A self-employed business owner and fitness fan, he told Newcastle crown court he can no longer work, drive, or enjoy time with his family in the same way as before.

Anthony added he now has problems with his hearing, sight, balance and mobility, and the injuries have ‘destroyed’ his hope of retiring to Thailand and travelling one day.

Prosecutor David Robinson-Young said the cousins had been out with friends in Sunderland after the football match last May 4, adding: ‘It would appear that all concerned had been drinking into the evening when some time after 7pm the group engaged in what has been referred to as good humoured banter.

‘The defendant made a remark about one of the cousins, to which the victim Mr Robson took exception and referred to the defendant as a ‘c***’.

‘There was a heated exchange and they both walked out of the bar.

‘The defendant punched Mr Robson once to the face, using his fist, causing the victim to fall backwards and strike his head on the road surface, as a result of which Mr Robson was rendered unconscious and went into a coma.’

Wyatt, 52, of Alloa Road, Sunderland, who had no previous convictions, admitted causing grievous bodily harm and told probation officials he had drunk ten pints before the attack.

Recorder Nathan Moxon said it was a ‘senseless act with catastrophic consequences’ and sentenced Wyatt to 14 months, suspended for 18 months, with alcohol abistinence requirement, rehabilitation and 160 hours unpaid work.

He told Wyatt: ‘The ripples of your actions have spread through the family.’

In a letter to the court Wyatt said he is remorseful, thinks about what happened ‘every day’ and wishes he could change it, adding: ‘I hope one day he can forgive me for what has happened.’

Jamie Adams, defending, said: ‘There is no way the court can satisfy everyone in this dire, awful situation. Remorse is felt by him.’

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