Brick attack thug jailed for nine years

Jul 20 2009 by Steve Bradley, Birmingham Mail

A THUG who left his neighbour for dead after brutally beating him with a brick was starting a nine-year jail sentence today.

James Davies battered Steven Watson until he was unconscious then “chillingly left him in a pool of blood believing him to be dying or dead,” said Judge Michael Challinor.

The judge said the late-night attack happened in front of Mr Watson’s children and his family had since felt compelled to move house.

“The fact he was not disabled or killed is extremely fortunate,” the judge told Davies, 41, of Addison Road, Brierley Hill.

“He suffered serious facial injuries but I am sure you intended inflicting even more serious injuries.”

The judge told Davies it was clear he posed a serious risk and said he had to pass a substantial sentence to protect the public.

“You will only be released when the authorities consider you are no longer a threat to the public,” he added at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

Davies had been convicted at the end of his trial of wounding Mr Watson with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm.

Tania Davies, his 39-year-old wife, was found guilty by the jury of assaulting Mr Watson’s wife Sarah causing her actual bodily harm and the judge said she had come within a whisker of losing her liberty.

He told Mrs Davies he was satisfied she was a prime mover in the incident and that she had encouraged the vicious attack by her husband on Mr Watson.

“This attack was carried out in the presence of his children who were screaming,” he added.

“The Watsons have now moved out of the area so you have got your own way.

“You richly deserve custody but I cannot inflict any more pain on one family. But if you continue to take the law into your own hands and you are violent to people you feel have insulted you, then you will go straight to prison.”

The trial had been told that Davies and his wife had gone to the home of the Watson family at around midnight to settle a dispute involving their son.

When Mr Watson answered his front door he was hit on the head with the brick without warning and then dragged out of his home before being brutally battered.