Bagley Woods raver 'free kicked' victim's head on A34

Brandon Hutchinson, 20, had spent the night variously scrapping with then making up with the man.

Both men were attending a rave in Bagley Wood, near Kennington, on May 8, Oxford Crown Court heard.

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Prosecutor Cathy Olliver said Hutchinson ‘became attracted’ to his victim’s girlfriend during the all-night party.

The woman’s boyfriend objected to the defendant sitting next to her and began fighting with him.

“[The girlfriend] said their behaviour was bizarre,” Ms Olliver said.

“They would shake hands then start punching each other again.”

The rave over, the couple made their way from the woods to the A34, intending to get the bus home. The boyfriend, who was heavily-intoxicated, struggled to walk.

Hutchinson caught up with the couple and tried to shake the man’s hand but was told in robust terms to go away.

Attack

His ensuing attack on the drunk boyfriend was witnessed by a delivery driver, who pulled into a layby.

Ms Olliver said: “Mr Hutchinson grabbed the victim round the collar and started to punch him.”

He struck the man four to five times in the face. His victim ‘did nothing’ to defend himself, he said.

The victim fell to the ground. As he lay on his back he was punched another four or five times in the face.

Hutchinson then kicked his prone victim in the back. The delivery driver who witnessed the onslaught likened the kick to ‘taking a free kick in football – lots of power, using the laces of his boots’.

The driver could hear a man ‘wailing’. Hutchinson threw three to four more punches before picking the victim up then letting him fall to the ground.

The attack finished with Hutchinson taking a step back then kicking the man in the head.

Ms Olliver said: “The Crown conclude he had punched him at least 18 times in the face and kicked him at least twice.” His girlfriend was kicked in the back as she tried to shield the man.

The victim was taken to hospital by ambulance, where scans found he had fractured his cheekbone from the bottom of his left eye socket to the top of his jaw. He did not make a police statement.

The A34 near Bagley Woods Picture: GOOGLE

Mitigation

The defendant, of Abingdon Road, Oxford, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and common assault at an earlier hearing. His previous convictions included robbery.

Richard Davies, mitigating, sought to persuade the judge to sentence his client without a probation report. He said on Friday that new changes to the rules meant if Hutchinson’s case was adjourned and he then received a sentence of more than four years, he would automatically serve two-thirds in custody before he was eligible for release.

But Judge Nigel Daly said he wanted the probation service to consider whether Hutchinson was ‘dangerous’ and should receive an extended licence period. “He does have a history of violence. I have also read what it says in the psychological report about his anger issues.”

The defendant was remanded in custody to be sentenced on July 22.

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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.  

To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @t_seaward