A DAD has told how his son woke up from a coma just before his life support was about to be switched off.
James Howard-Jones, 28, had been declared brain dead after he was punched by a thug on a Cheltenham street on April 24, 2022.
James Howard-Jones, 28, was in a coma after being punched on a night out, a court heard
Judge Martin Picton was told of the devastating impact the assault by Ben Davis has had on James Howard-Jones, his family and friends
Ben Davies yesterday admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm on James without intent and was jailed for two years and four months.
The assault occurred while James had been on a night out with friends to watch a boxing match between Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte, Gloucester Crown Court heard.
But James was struck by Davies after leaving the MooMoo Clubroom at 1am and was knocked unconscious after hitting his head, said prosecutor Jack Berry.
He was then rushed to hospital where he remained unconscious for several weeks and underwent several emergency operations.
James’ dad, Neil Howard-Jones told Judge Martin Picton the family had been considering a request to harvest his organs for transplantation when he regained consciousness.
He said: “Within the first couple of weeks we were told by the doctors treating James that he was brain dead and the kindest thing we could do was to let him die.
“I was asked questions that no parent should ever be asked, such as letting his organs be harvested. We agreed that this should be done and arrangements were being made for transplantation donation.
“We agreed that this should be delayed for a week so that family and friends could say their goodbyes to James. The stress of this was enormous.
“Incredibly, despite what the experts had told us, James went on to regain consciousness. Initially, he was only able to give eye contact and was unable to move or speak.
“Slowly James’ condition improved to a point where he could be moved to a rehabilitation centre. However, he was to return to hospital on several occasions due to a number of seizures. We didn’t know if he would survive or not.
“At present he needs help in getting out of bed to just go to the toilet. He can use a wheelchair, which he can only use for a number of hours each day due to his fatigue.
“We are under no illusion James’ brain damage is long-term and will require a level of caring for the rest of his life.”
He went on to explain that his son will now be “permanently handicapped in virtually every aspect of his life”.
Judge Picton told Davies: “You will serve your sentence and be released. Mr Howard-Jones will never be released from what you have done to him and neither will those who love him.
“The victim personal statement provided by James’s father is one of the saddest I have ever known.”
He continued: “I am conscious that the sentence that I am passing doesn’t begin to properly reflect the terrible harm that you have done.
“No sentence could do so. I am, however, constrained by the maximum penalty guidelines.”
Nick Murphy, defending, said: “The decision made by my client to punch Mr Howard-Jones has had a profound effect on him. He wishes through me to apologise for his actions that evening inasmuch as it that is worth anything.
“He understands that nothing said on his behalf will undo the damage which he has caused and the impact his single punch has had on his victim.”
Judge Picton told Davies: “You delivered a hard punch that was wholly unnecessary. Nothing that had happened earlier, or was happening at the moment you struck your victim, justifies or even explains what for you was a wholly out-of-character reaction to an inconsequential exchange of words in the street.
“The punch you delivered sent James flying backwards and to the ground. The blow he received to the back of his head as a consequence very nearly ended his life.
“The decision had been made to switch off the life support system just prior to him regaining consciousness. But the life he has now has is but a shadow of what it once was – both mentally and physically.
“Whilst I accept that you are genuinely remorseful, the messages you sent to your friends in the immediate aftermath of this crime do you no credit at all and I consider those to be an aggravating factor in this case.”