Garden attacker Richard Taylor's sentence pruned on appeal

Richard Michael Taylor (41) went to his ex’s Rotherham home after a falling out and ended up in a violent confrontation with her friend in the garden.

Daniel Wilson had already broken his ankle when he slipped during the scuffle, but Taylor continued, punching him when he was injured.

He left Mr Wilson, who is a trained doorman, with a fractured eye socket before realising the extent of the injury and waiting for paramedics and police.

Taylor, of Main Street, Bramley, near Rotherham, admitted causing grievous bodily harm and was jailed for two years at Sheffield Crown Court in August.

A top judge reduced his sentence to 15 months last Tuesday, saying it was accepted that Taylor had not caused Mr Wilson's ankle injury.

“The incident with Mr Wilson was largely out of character and we accept that his references are compelling,” said Lord Justice Hickinbottom.

“We consider that the sentence imposed was manifestly excessive. 

“In our view, a sentence of 15 months would have been appropriate.”

Taylor claimed he had acted in self-defence, but admitted he had gone too far in the fight with Mr Wilson, the court heard.

However, he denied kicking Mr Wilson and was sentenced on the basis that he had not used his feet.

Taylor’s lawyers appealed, arguing that the incident had been out of character and that two years’ jail was too tough.

They said Taylor was a devoted dad and his children would suffer during his time in prison as he would not be able to pay their mother child support.

There was also a chance he would lose his job and his home as a result of being locked up, the court heard.

Despite cutting the sentence, the appeal judge refused to suspend it to allow Taylor to go free immediately.