Thug is jailed for fracturing skull

Behind bars . . . thug Andrew Cook

A CALLOUS thug who attacked a man in Oldham and left him with a fractured skull has been jailed for two and a half years.

Andrew Cook (19), of Chapel Road, Hollinwood, pleaded guilty to section 20 assault (causing grievous bodily harm) and breaching an anti-social behaviour order following the attack on March 6.

At 11.30 that night, Cook punched his victim in the face on West Street during a disagreement between one of his friends and one of the victim’s friends.

The victim fell to the ground with a force so hard that his skull fractured as his head hit the pavement.

He had to spend three weeks in hospital, initially going to the Royal Oldham, before being transferred to Salford Royal Hospital.

Det Sgt Ian Webb said: “Cook is a thug, who picked on someone who wasn’t really involved in the disagreement.

“This case shows that no assault is a trivial matter and the victim’s life was put in danger by Cook’s actions. This is why he deserves the punishment he has been given today.

“The message is from this case is clear: even a single punch to the face can cause devastating injuries.”