A father-of-five from Kings Heath has been handed a suspended prison sentence after breaking another man's jaw in a revenge attack sparked by a pub incident the previous night.
The Incident
John Ravenhall, 45, of Vicarage Road, confronted Rhys Edwards outside a Co-op supermarket on October 20, 2024. The confrontation stemmed from an altercation at The Hazelwell pub on Pineapple Road the night before, where Edwards had intervened after Ravenhall allegedly punched a woman.
At Birmingham Crown Court, prosecutor Claire Harris said Edwards saw an argument between Ravenhall and a woman, and intervened after believing Ravenhall had punched her. The defendant squared up, a brief altercation occurred, and Ravenhall fled the pub. The woman later thanked Edwards for his intervention.
The Attack
The following day, around 2pm, Edwards was at the Co-op on Vicarage Road when Ravenhall approached and asked, "Is that you from last night?" CCTV footage captured the pair at close quarters before Ravenhall threw several punches at Edwards' face. An unidentified male with Ravenhall urged him to "stab him," but instead Ravenhall punctured a tyre on Edwards' car.
Edwards returned to his vehicle and noticed his mouth was bleeding. He sought treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and required surgery the next day to realign his jaw. The procedure, however, encountered complications.
Legal Outcome
Ravenhall admitted charges of unlawful wounding, possession of an offensive weapon, and criminal damage. He handed himself in months after police launched a social media appeal. Prosecutor Harris described the attack as an act of "retaliation and revenge."
Defending, Ryan Hodgins highlighted Ravenhall's physical and mental health issues, worsened by redundancy six years ago. He noted Ravenhall is an active father to five children and a carer for his elderly father.
Judge Stacy Newnham-Payne imposed a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, citing strong personal mitigation, the impact on his family, prospects of rehabilitation, remorse, and willingness to accept support. Ravenhall must also complete 25 days of rehabilitation activity.
