Man jailed after serious attack in St Neots

A man who left his victim with serious injuries has been jailed for over a year.

27-year-old Kieran Napier of Rectory Close in Great Paxton left a man with a life-changing bleed on the brain after knocking him unconscious with a single punch.

He came up behind his 27-year-old victim and punched him in St Neots' Market Square at 3am on Saturday 19 March 2022.

The victim fell to the ground, hitting his head, leaving him with two brain bleeds.

Napier, his girlfriend and friend walked off, but he was arrested six months later at Gatwick airport after a police wanted appeal.

He's been charged with GBH without intent but denied he was at the scene of the crime and continued to claim innocence until changing his plea to guilty in August.

Judge Grey, who sentenced Napier to a year and 10 months in prison at Cambridge Crown Court, said:

“You may not feel lucky at the moment, but you are. If you had seen what can happen when people hit their heads, then you would realise how close to manslaughter you came. No intention would not be a defence.

“Remorse is not demonstrated by telling a pack of lies about not being at the scene and pleading not guilty at court and only admitting your guilt belatedly.

“Drunken violence of this sort is far too common. People have the right to go out and enjoy themselves without unexpected violence.”

Detective Sergeant Sharon Burrell from Cambridgeshire Police:

“This sentence reflects the severity of this crime and is a stark reminder that a single punch can have disastrous and devastating consequences for everyone involved.  

“Every weekend in towns and cities across the country police deal with alcohol-fuelled violence. I hope this case will make people think about their actions.”