Wheel Out The Old Excuses…

Ashley Cooper rained down punches and kicks on 18-year-old Jamie Smith as his victim lay prone in Abingdon Precinct.

The 17-year-old attacker, who the Oxford Mail can name after a judge lifted reporting restrictions, fractured Mr Smith’s arm as he tried to protect his face.

Long criminal history, perchance?

Oh, of course:

Cooper, of John Morris Road, Abingdon, has a history of violent offending including battery, affray, having an offensive weapon, threatening behaviour and possessing a bladed article.

In March 2009 he twice stabbed a female victim and had been released on licence from a young offenders’ institution just a month before attacking Abingdon College student Mr Smith on February 9.

That worked well, then. Clearly a rehabilitated character….

So what caused this most uncharacteristic outburst of aggression towards Mr Smith?

Jon Sank, prosecuting at Oxford Crown Court on Friday, said: “The victim was being called names by a girl at his college. That girl’s ex-boyfriend was the defendant who was not a student at the college.

Oh, right, it’s all perfectly clear now, thanks for that…

The defence needed to limber up for this one:

Sophie Murray, defending, said her client had suffered with “alcohol and cannabis abuse”…

It rather sounds like it’s everyone else that suffers, Sophie love.

… and had attempted to commit suicide after seeing a number of childhood friends die.

Sadly, he proved as ineffectual at that as he did at going straight.

She added: “He clearly grew up seeing violence meted out on his mother.

“There was violence in the family situation from his father and step-father.

“He has had no strong male role models in his life.”

He’ll have a few in jail, I bet…