Pub brawl thug wins cut in sentence

Scott Morton (56) punched Daniel Wildgoose around ten times to the head after they fell out and came to blows.

He was still swinging punches when Mr Wildgoose was already out cold on the ground, Mr Justice Eady told London’s Appeal Court.

He momentarily backed away when a passer-by intervened, but then delivered a "”running kick” to his victim's head which caused bleeding within the brain.

One witness said the kick was delivered as if Morton was kicking a football, the judge added.

Morton, of Charles Street, Rotherham, admitted punching his victim when he was on the ground, but said he had no idea he was unconscious at the time.

He claimed he initially acted in self-defence, but then “went too far,” and he had no recollection of kicking Mr Wildgoose.

Morton was originally jailed for six years at Sheffield Crown Court last October after admitting causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Mr Justice Eady, sitting with Lord Justice Richards and Mr Justice Holroyd, said the kick was delivered “at full tilt”—but went on to conclude that the six-year sentence was too long, cutting it by a year.

“The appropriate sentence was five years,” the judge concluded.