William Doyle, 51, has been handed a suspended sentence after violently attacking his sister following a night of heavy drinking. The Wolverhampton man consumed eight to ten cans of Stella lager before hitting his sister over the head with a metal pole during a birthday present argument.
The incident occurred on April 28, 2024, after the siblings spent a seemingly pleasant evening playing cards and drinking at Doyle’s home in Lower Gornal. The mood soured around 3:30 am when Doyle, upset that his sister had forgotten his birthday gift, grabbed a 1-meter hollow metal pole and struck her on the head, leaving her unconscious for a short time with swelling injuries.
Alarmed by what he had done, Doyle called emergency services, admitting to the attack and fearing he had killed her. Despite the victim’s recovery, the relationship between the two has been severely damaged. She expressed profound grief in a statement to the court, saying, “I feel like I have lost a brother,” and has since sought a five-year restraining order to prevent any contact with Doyle.
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Wolverhampton Crown Court heard that Doyle’s criminal record, spanning from 1997 to 2018, includes 19 convictions mainly related to alcohol-fueled offenses, though none previously involved violence. The court was told by prosecutor Dean Easthope that Doyle’s crimes reflected a pattern of offending under the influence.
Defense attorney Timothy Sapwell described the case as tragic, acknowledging the permanent harm caused to the siblings’ relationship. Doyle accepted that the restraining order was necessary and expressed hope to overcome his drinking habits and return to work.
Sentencing Doyle to a 12-month suspended prison term with a 55-day rehabilitation activity requirement, Recorder Michael Duck KC emphasized the seriousness of the offense and the role alcohol played in the attack. He urged Doyle to use this opportunity to address his drinking problems and rebuild his life.
The court also imposed a five-year restraining order preventing Doyle from contacting his sister, reaffirming the breakdown of their relationship following the violent incident.