Worksop: Thug jailed for two years after near fatal one punch street assault

Unemployed Steven Paul Hancock, 23, formerly of Yeoman Close, Worksop, was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm at a previous hearing on Friday, September 11.

Hancock, who the court heard had 17 previous convictions for 38 different offences, punched victim Daniel Cutts on a night out in Worksop on Gateford Road in the early hours of Saturday, June 20 after a heavy night of drinking.

Mr Cutts suffered a double haematoma and was placed in a coma for more than two months. The 31-year-old needed two operations, which included having a part of his skull removed and now has to wear a safety helmet in public. He also has difficulties with his speech and is at risk of suffering from seizures.

Hancock delivered the right-handed punch after an altercation between the pair in which CCTV showed them ‘sparing’.

The footage also showed Hancock running away from the scene before he was identified and arrested by police.

The last hearing was adjourned for further medical evidence to be provided, as when someone tried to help Mr Cutts, he was ‘dropped’ because he was too heavy and he hit his head on the floor. However, this evidence was dismissed by a medical consultant who said that his injuries were not consistent with what the defence was saying.

Recorder Richard Swain said that he had taken into account Hancock’s early guilty plea and in mitigation it was said that he had shown ‘remorse’ and was ‘very sorry’.

Full court story and police reaction to follow.