Thug jailed for brick ‘madness’

James Osbourne

A DRUNK who in a “moment of mindless madness” hurled a brick at a soldier home on leave from the Army, fracturing his skull, has been jailed for 18 months.

James Osbourne (23) had been drinking with pals in Oldham town centre shortly before Christmas, last year, when the incident happened.

His victim, Patrick McQuaid, a physical training instructor with the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, was “pole axed” by the missile, dropping face-down to the ground.

A witness who saw the piece of brick hurled, later told police it was the “luckiest” throw he had ever seen.

Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court was told there had been no intention to hit Mr McQuaid, who had served his country on tours of Iraq and Afghanistan.

But the soldier’s Army career now hangs in the balance, because of injuries caused.

Mr McQuaid, of Royton, had to undergo surgery for a depressed rear fracture of the skull, which involved neuro surgeons painstakingly removing tiny splinters of bone, along with grit which had gone through the skull into the brain.

Mr McQuaid said in a statement that he suffers permanent headaches, and bouts of dizziness, it has affected his balance and his memory, and he constantly loses things.

He said the attack had made him paranoid about being in public places and if he goes out, he is scared to turn his back on anyone.

The court was told that he has suffered from depression, and is still awaiting an assessment by the Army as to whether he is fit enough to resume duties.

Barrie Darby prosecuting, said that on the night of Saturday, December 11, Mr McQuaid had first gone into Manchester city centre with pals, then returned to Oldham where they were drinking in the Tokyo nightclub until around 3.30am.

He admitted having had a lot to drink, and was able to recall almost nothing of events that followed.

Police were called out to deal with a man who had been reported as unconscious on the ground near the nightclub, but it was not until he was examined in hospital that the seriousness of his condition was realised. Officers later pieced together what had happened by scrutinising CCTV footage.

The court was told that cameras had picked up Osbourne, of Canal View, Knowle Street, Stalybridge, with a group of other men and a group of girls with whom they engaged in some banter.

Mr Osbourne was seen following them, and at one point gesturing by swinging his fist. One witness said he had seen Osbourne throw something at the soldier, while another said he appeared to just drop to the ground.

A further witness who knew Osbourne from a gym they use, told police he had admitted to him that he had thrown the brick.

Osbourne initially pleaded not guilty to a charge of Section 18 wounding, but on the day of a planned trial in October, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of Section 20 wounding.