Man, 31, given 16 years’ imprisonment following incident which left victim in coma

A 31 year old man of Scours Lane in Reading has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for causing Section 18 – grievous bodily harm with intent following an incident in High Wycombe.

The man pleaded guilty to the offence at Aylesbury Crown Court on Monday 23rd March 2015 and was sentenced to 16 years in prison.

The offence occurred at 6.45pm on Tuesday 18th June 2013 when the convicted man drove another man to Spearing Road in High Wycombe to view a car that was for sale.

The victim, a 32 year old man, put the car on the road and the other man hit the victim over the head with an iron bar that was hidden in a Sainsbury’s carrier bag.

That man fled the scene and was driven away by the convicted man in his car, a grey Seat Leon.

A 28 year old man of Temple Place in Reading was charged in connection with the incident but after a one week trial at Aylesbury Crown Court was found not guilty by a jury by a defence of duress.

The victim sustained a serious head injury and had to be put into an induced coma and placed on a life support machine.  He has since made a good recovery but is still affected by his injuries.

Investigating officer, Det Sgt Yasmin Dean from Force CID in High Wycombe said: ‘This was a horrific attack on the victim, organised by [the convicted man]. The co-accused has been identified and admitted his part in the offence, but was found not guilty by the jury on the grounds of duress.

The victim is very lucky to be alive. I would like to thank all the members of the public who gave witness statements and provided valuable CCTV. This was a protracted enquiry that required support from officers across the Thames Valley.‘