Man who attacked student and left him in a wheelchair with half his head missing jailed for less than 2 years

Harry Readhead metro.co.uk Life sentence: Reece is likely be severely disabled for the rest of his life (Picture: Cavendish Press) A thug who attacked a student and left him confined to a wheelchair with parts of his skull missing has been sent to prison for less than two years. Thomas Field, 27, approached Reece Roberts, 25, outside Bar 19 in Blackpool and knocked him to the floor, later remarking that Mr Roberts ‘shouldn’t have been so mouthy’. Mr Roberts, who has a rare growth disorder and learning difficulties, had part of his skull removed by surgeons in order to relieve pressure on the brain. As a result of the attack, he can no longer walk or talk and must be fed through a tube. Field was jailed for 20 months by the judge, who reduced his sentence from the maximum five years for grievous bodily harm because he appeared remorseful and pleaded guilty. Prosecutor Miss Raquel Simpson told Preston Crown Court that the incident had dramatically changed Mr Roberts’ life. ‘It is likely he will be left with a significant physical disability,’ she said.