A man was jailed at Reading Crown Court today (2/9) for grievous bodily harm following an incident at a Bracknell pub in July 2008.
Brian Michael Oliphant, aged 67, of the William Twigg pub, Great Hollands Square, Bracknell, was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment. He had been found guilty of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm on 5 August 2010 following a trial at Reading Crown Court.
At about 1am on 12 July 2008, a 46-year-old man was drinking with two friends at the William Twigg Public House, Great Hollands. An altercation took place between the men and another group of men, including Brian Oliphant, who were also drinking at the Bracknell pub.
The three friends were asked to leave the premises and did so, but the victim had left his coat behind and went back to retrieve it. Before he could enter the pub, Oliphant came out holding his coat and punched him in the face, causing him to fall to the ground.
Brian Oliphant was arrested on 12 July 2008 in connection with the incident. Following extensive enquiries, he was charged with grievous bodily harm on 21 May 2009.
Det Con Iain Watkinson, Bracknell investigating officer, said: "The victim was punched with considerable force to his head causing him to fall to the floor, hit his head and lose consciousness. He was taken to hospital straight away and remained in hospital until 13 August 2008. The victim had a severe head injury causing a bleed on his brain. He still has problems with his short-term memory and has weekly medical meetings as a direct result of his life-changing injuries.
"This was a particularly difficult case to investigate as, although it happened in a busy pub, no witnesses to the incident came forward. However, after a lengthy investigation and consultation with lawyers from the Crown Prosecution Service, enough evidence was produced to charge and prosecute the landlord of the pub at the time. I hope that the victim can now try and start putting this behind him and re-build his life with the help of his family and friends."
Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell