A father-of-five from Kings Heath has avoided an immediate jail sentence after breaking another man's jaw in a revenge attack outside a Co-op supermarket. John Ravenhall, 45, of Vicarage Road, confronted his victim the day after an incident at The Hazelwell pub on Pineapple Road, where the victim had intervened when Ravenhall allegedly punched a woman.
Attack Outside Co-op
Birmingham Crown Court heard that Ravenhall approached the man outside the Co-op and asked, 'Is that you from last night?' before throwing punches at his face. CCTV footage captured the attack, during which an unknown male urged Ravenhall to 'stab him'. Instead, Ravenhall punctured a tyre on the victim's car.
Injuries and Surgery
The victim required surgery at Queen Elizabeth Hospital to realign his jaw, but there were complications with the procedure. Prosecutor Claire Harris said Ravenhall acted out of 'retaliation and revenge'.
Defence and Sentence
Defending, Ryan Hodgins said his client had physical and mental health problems and 'things took a turn for the worse' when he was made redundant six years ago. Judge Stacy Newnham-Payne stated: 'Due to the strong personal mitigation, the impact on others in your family, the prospect of rehabilitation in the community, your remorse for your actions and the fact you welcome support, it is appropriate to suspend the sentence for 18 months.'
Ravenhall admitted unlawful wounding, possession of an offensive weapon and criminal damage, receiving a nine-month suspended sentence and 25 days of rehabilitation activity.
