By Nick Griffiths and James Johnson

Last updated at 07:52, Friday, 11 January 2013

Two men who carried out an early-hours attack that left a man with bleeding on the brain have been jailed.

Thomas Forster

Darren Hillary, 23, and Thomas Forster, 22 – a rising sports star who was said to have a promising future in golf – attacked William Watterson in Carlisle city centre following an argument with the victim in a night club.

Hillary was given a 16-month sentence while Forster was jailed for 14 months.

Mr Watterson had been thrown out of Lowther Street club Concrete on May 30 but waited outside and resumed a confrontation with the two as they came out at 3am.

Hillary, of Haig Road, Harraby, Carlisle, fought with Mr Watterson before Forster, of Berrymoor Road, Brampton, joined in the violence, knocking the victim to the ground, where he was attacked.

Mr Watterson suffered head injuries and was taken to the city’s Cumberland Infirmary with bleeding on the brain.

He complained of headaches, dizziness and vomiting and was forced to take six weeks off work due to bleeding on his brain.

The two men, who were later arrested, appeared before Carlisle Crown Court to be sentenced after admitting causing grievous bodily harm.

The court heard that Forster said he had knocked Mr Watterson to the ground because he thought he had a knife.

Judge Robert Brown acknowledged that both Forster and Hillary had shown genuine remorse.

Forster was said to have a “very significant future” in golf. He played in the county team and the England under-23 set-up.

Hillary, the court was told, was not somebody who went out that night looking for trouble.

First published at 07:49, Friday, 11 January 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk