Youth re-enacted punch which knocked man out to his friends

The blow dished out by Ciaran Harold Parker left Melvyn Cope unconscious before he hit the ground.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard the victim, who became involved in an altercation with Parker, suffered a bleed on the brain which exasperated the issues he faced from a previous skull fracture.

Parker, who was aged 17 at the time of the assault in Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth, left the scene but he was seen on CCTV "re-enacting” the punch to his friends.

Warning: this CCTV footage contains graphic scenes of a violent incident

Sentencing judge Recorder Robin Sellers said: “Your behaviour in putting that man unconscious on the ground was utterly despicable.”

He added: “It is a matter of sheer luck that he survived. He was hospitalised for two days for neurological observation.”

Parker, now aged 18 and of Poole, received a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, having previously pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent.

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Prosecuting, James Kellam said police were called shortly before 8pm on May 24 last year after members of the public had witnessed an assault near the Starbucks in the Lansdowne area of town.

Mr Kellam said Mr Cope, aged in his 50s, was sat drinking cider on his own near the coffee shop when the defendant and his friends walked past.

The prosecutor said there was an initial exchange between Mr Cope and Parker.

The defendant walked down the road a short distance before turning back and engaging in a confrontation over comments made by Mr Cope.

Mr Kellam said he kicked the victim’s cider and knocked off his hat.

Having started to walk off again, Mr Cope made further comments and when Parker returned this time both men were stood up.

The victim was described as “unsteady on his feet” and “clearly intoxicated” as he attempted to assume a boxing stance.

Parker approached and struck Mr Cope in the face with a single blow.

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Mr Kellam said after the assault Parker could be seen on CCTV going to the Asda store and changing his clothes.

“The defendant on the face of it was making light of what he has just done and re-enacting it for the amusement of his friends,” Mr Kellam said.

The assault took place near Starbucks in Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth

Olivia McGonigle, mitigating, said Parker had reacted to lewd and offensive remarks Mr Cope had made about people the defendant was with.

The barrister said the defendant “was shocked by what had happened and extremely panicked and that’s why he left”.

“He accepts he should not have become involved and he should have remained at the scene,” Ms McGonigle said.

The barrister said the defendant had strong personal mitigation, referencing his difficult upbringing and family issues.

She said there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and he was now in stable accommodation having previously been sleeping in a tent.

“He tells me his life has changed and he is looking for an apprenticeship or to go to college to get GCSEs,” the barrister said.

The judge was asked to consider the defendant’s youth and “extreme remorse”.

“He realises it should never have happened and he wishes that he had just continued walking,” Ms McGonigle said.

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The judge said while the offence was so serious only a custodial sentence was appropriate, he was satisfied that a suspended sentence could implemented, having considered the realistic prospect of rehabilitation, the absence of any further offending since the assault and the defendant’s strong personal mitigation.

In sentencing Parker, the judge said: “What if it had been one of your family? What if it had been your fiancée and you walked away.”

The judge said the “ferocity” of the punch thrown by the defendant was such that the victim was unconscious before he hit the ground.

“You didn’t stop to help him. You saw what you did and you didn’t stop to help,” Recorder Sellers said.

Before allowing the defendant to leave the dock, the judge said: “You can go, don’t come back.”

The suspended sentence included a requirement to complete 35 rehabilitation activity days and carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.