A raver who ‘free kicked’ his victim’s head has been jailed for four-and-a-half years.

Brandon Hutchinson, 20, launched the violent assault after variously scrapping then making up with the man during an all-night party in Bagley Woods, near Kennington, on May 8.

The girlfriend of the victim described the behaviour of the two men as ‘bizarre’, Oxford Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Cathy Olliver said the men would ‘shake hands then start punching each other again’.

After the dusk-to-dawn rave, intoxicated Hutchinson caught up with the second man and his girlfriend as they walked towards the bus stop on the A34.

When he tried to shake the man’s hand, he was told in robust terms to leave him alone.

The ensuing attack was witnessed by a delivery driver and began when Hutchinson grabbed his victim by the collar and rained down blows on his face.

When the man fell to the ground, further punches were landed on his face.

He kicked the 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’.

Oxford Mail: Brandon Hutchinson and his victim were attending a rave in Bagley Woods before the assault Picture: SUBMITTEDBrandon Hutchinson and his victim were attending a rave in Bagley Woods before the assault Picture: SUBMITTED

Hutchinson aimed further punches at the man then picked him up and let his body fall to the ground. In a final act of aggression, the defendant took a step back and loosed a kick at his victim’s head.

Ms Olliver said at an earlier hearing: “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 her partner.

Scans showed the victim had fractured his eye socket in the attack.

Sentencing him on Tuesday, Recorder Anthony Cartin said Hutchinson should consider himself ‘fortunate’ the victim was not more seriously injured.

Mitigating, Richard Davies told the court that his client had grown up in an environment where he had witnessed regular domestic abuse, which had ‘corrupted’ his view of violence. He described the defendant as a ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ character, who was capable of leading a productive life.

In a letter to the judge, Hutchinson said he was ‘ashamed and very remorseful’.

The defendant, of Abingdon Road, Oxford, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and common assault at an earlier hearing. His previous convictions included a robbery for which he was on licence when he committed the May attack.

Jailing him for four-and-a-half years, Recorder Cartin said: “Whatever the cause of your views about violence might be, the fact remains you have shown you are dangerous to people when you lose your temper and use violence against them.”

Read more from this author

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