A Birmingham man who attacked a long-time friend with a baseball bat has been handed a suspended jail sentence. Leon Townsend, 50, struck Sean Kieran multiple times at their shared home in Erdington on August 29, 2024.
Attack at Hesketh Crescent
The violence erupted around 5pm after Townsend had a verbal argument with another resident. Prosecutor Claire Harris told Birmingham Crown Court that Townsend was still irate, throwing food and items around the communal kitchen. When Mr Kieran entered and remonstrated with him, Townsend aimed verbal abuse, calling him a 'tramp and fat b******' before punching him in the face.
Townsend then pushed Mr Kieran into his bedroom door with enough force to break it. A baseball bat fell to the floor, and both men reached for it. Townsend grabbed it after a struggle and struck Mr Kieran with such force that the bat broke in half. He continued hitting the victim on the head, back, and legs until Mr Kieran blacked out.
Victim's statement
Mr Kieran was taken to hospital with a wound to the back of his head and significant bruising. He suffered a concussion and could not eat for a week. In a statement, he said: 'I have been betrayed by the same person I have known for years. I thought we were friends. This was not someone passing in the street. I was attacked in my own home and nearly killed in my own home.' He added that he no longer feels like going out and has isolated himself, saying: 'I'm having to change my whole personality. Leon has taken that from me.'
Court proceedings
Townsend, who drinks four cans of cider a day, handed himself in at a police station after the attack. His barrister, Simon Hanns, said both men had been drinking and appeared 'quite friendly' after the incident. He noted Townsend's addiction to alcohol, stating: 'Although he has cut it down considerably, he is still on four or five cans of cider a day. That is far too much especially for a man in his 50s.'
Recorder George Kelly sentenced Townsend to 21 months suspended for two years, with 30 days of rehabilitation, an alcohol treatment programme, and £1,000 compensation to Mr Kieran. He told Townsend: 'I can't imagine at the age of 50 you like being in court and lectured about your behaviour, but your behaviour has brought you here. You're lucky because you completely lost control. You attacked Mr Kieran with a baseball bat. I don't accept this was self-defence. You're lucky and he's lucky he didn't suffer more serious injuries.' He added: 'At the age of 50, it seems rather sad, really, you can't control yourself, and you're in a position you're going to go to prison.'
