A father suffered serious facial injuries, including a broken nose, after being punched several times in front of his six-year-old son following a minor car collision in Birmingham.
On 28 June 2025, Darnell Thompson, 27, attacked the victim after the latter accidentally collided with Thompson’s vehicle. Prosecutor Mehnaz Mallik told Birmingham Magistrates' Court that Thompson “counted to three” before repeatedly punching the man in the face and head.
The victim had been driving with a friend in the passenger seat and his young son in the back when the collision occurred. Due to the victim’s limited English, his friend helped communicate with Thompson, who then demanded £300 from the victim as compensation.
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Ms Mallik explained that language difficulties prolonged the conversation, causing Thompson to become agitated. “He then punched him multiple times to the face and head,” the prosecutor said. The attack ceased only when a nearby security officer intervened.
The victim sustained serious injuries including swelling, bruising, vision problems, and fractures in two places - to his eye socket and nose. The broken nose required surgery.
In a personal statement read to the court, the victim expressed his fear for his life and concern over potential job loss due to his injuries. “I cannot go to work, and there is a high risk I am going to lose my job. My two children and wife are all scared now,” he said.
Thompson, from Clarkes Grove, Tipton, was sentenced to 12 months in custody, reduced to six months and suspended for 18 months. Additionally, he was ordered to complete 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days and 300 hours of unpaid work.
The court also ordered Thompson to pay £9,640 in compensation to the victim: £4,820 for the eye fracture and £4,820 for the broken nose.