Guilty plea from Welshman involved in street fight

Victim suffered a bleed on the brain

A Welshman who knocked another man unconscious after a street fight in Douglas will be sentenced later this year.

Benjamin David Thomas Williams, of Llannerch-Y-Medd in Anglesey, appeared at Douglas Courthouse where he pleaded guilty to assaulting the victim and causing actual bodily harm.

The 31-year-old was on the Island, celebrating his birthday, when he was approached by the man on Strand Street, at 12.40am, on 11 November.

Williams began ‘shadowboxing’ and throwing light punches – the complainant then threw a punch at him, which missed, before walking off.

But following further disagreement, minutes later, the court heard Williams then punched the man twice before headbutting him.

He fell backwards, hit his head on the ground, and was rendered unconscious.

The court was told the man suffered a bleed on the brain but did not require ongoing medical intervention.

In his basis of plea Williams described the complainant as ‘highly intoxicated’ adding he ‘seemed to be looking for a fight’ and was verbally abusing his group of friends.

Detailing how he’d been attempting to, initially, diffuse the situation he said he’d retaliated after the man grabbed his arm: “I wish this incident had never happened,” he added.

Williams, who has no previous convictions, will be sentenced at the Court of General Gaol Delivery; he’ll next appear there on 22 March.

A charge of affray with withdrawn.