Violent thug jailed for six years after 'sickening attack'

A violent offender has been sentenced for a ‘sickening’ attack in which he punched a man to the ground before kicking him in the head while he was unconscious.

Oliver Williams (17/01/94), of Heywood, was sentenced to six years in prison on Friday (27 July) after pleading guilty to one count of section 18 assault at Minshull Street Crown Court at an earlier hearing.

At around 3.45am on Friday 27 January, Williams became involved in an argument with a woman on the dance floor of a nightclub on Packer Street, Rochdale.

A doorman at the nightclub noted another man stood nearby, whom the doorman decided to walk away from the situation.

Once outside, the doorman saw Williams exit the club and assault the man, who is aged 49.

Williams punched the victim twice to the face, causing him to fall and hit his head on a concrete bin.

He then then kicked the victim with full force to the head as he lay unconscious on the ground.

Via CCTV evidence, police traced Williams back to an address in Smallbridge, Rochdale and arrested him.

The court heard that Williams has an extensive history of violent assaults, in which his victims were punched to the ground before being kicked or stamped upon

When sentencing him, the judge said Williams’ set upon his victim in a brutal and violent fashion.

Detective Constable Russell Clarke of GMP’s Rochdale Division said: “This was an unprovoked attack, which on another day could have led to the loss of the victim’s life.

“In the early hours of that morning, Williams saw fit to punch the victim unconscious to the ground and then as he lay motionless on the floor, kick him in the head with considerable force.

“The attack only came to an end after Williams was dragged away. The ferocity of the attack meant that the victim lost any memory of several hours before the incident, the incident itself and several hours after.

“CCTV captured the extent of this attack and is sickening to watch.

“Williams has a significant history of violent assaults on innocent people and it is clear that Williams poses a clear danger to the public.

“It is my hope that the sentence given is enough to prevent Williams targeting and harming anybody else in the future whilst bringing some level of comfort to the victim, who continues in his recovery both physically and mentally.

“If it is anybody’s intention to go out drinking and attack innocent people, be clear that we will do everything to ensure justice is done and that you also find yourself behind bars.”