Teenager jailed after serious assault at house party

A teenager whose punch led to a man sustaining a serious head injury during a party in Witherley, Leicestershire, has been jailed after a hearing at Leicester Crown Court today (Tuesday 22 June).

Jay White was at a house party in Hunts Lane on Friday 25 September last year when he punched the 20-year-old victim in the head.

The victim was taken to hospital with fractures to his skull. He has since been discharged from hospital.

White (pictured) of Croft Road, Nuneaton, pleaded guilty to Section 20 Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) at an earlier hearing. 

The 19-year-old was sentenced to 20 months for the GBH and 12 months for an unrelated burglary offence.  Both sentences are to be served at a Youth Offending Institute consecutively.

Detective Constable Vicki Hudson was the investigating officer, she said: “This case demonstrates how one punch can lead to such significant injuries and have a life changing impact on the victim.

“We are pleased that White pleaded guilty to his part in the offence and spared the victim’s family the ordeal of hearing the events of that evening in court.

“We hope this case goes someway in showing perpetrators the impact violence can have on them, their victims and wider family.”

A spokesperson for the victim’s family said: “We have been left utterly devastated by what’s happened.  We have had to live through the anxiety of not knowing if he would make it through.  His injuries are life changing and we have to live with the reality that he will never be the same person again and will need constant care.

“We are pleased the defendant has pleaded guilty to the offence and thank the investigating officer for her hard work in getting this case to a positive conclusion.”