Teen suffers shocking head injuries in near fatal one punch-assault
Billy Close was waiting in a taxi queue when he was attacked, but is now beginning to rebuild his life
A YOUNG man was left with two holes in his skull and spent two weeks in a coma after a near fatal assault in a taxi queue.
Billy Close had been celebrating his 19th birthday in Newcastle city centre when he was attacked but cannot remember any of the night or the assault itself.
He was left fighting for his life after a stranger punched him just once, but this single blow shattered his skull and caused bleeding on his brain.
After defying the odds to pull through, Billy has since had an operation to have metal plates inserted in his skull to repair the devastating head injuries.
Ahead of the operation Billy had to be incredibly careful as he knew that the slightest knock on his head could kill him.
But now, four months on from the attack, he is feeling hopeful.
Billy, 19, from Battle Hill, Wallsend, said: “I feel like I have got my life back now. I’m feeling sound. I’m just waiting for the swelling to go down and I will be able to get on with things. I can make a fresh start."
He always dreamed of joining the RAF, and feared his future career hopes may have been ruined after the attack, but believes their is still a chance his dream could be realised.
He said: "I’m still waiting for the RAF to get back to us.
"There may still be a chance I can join up. As soon as the swelling goes down and my hair grows back I will be right back to where I was before this happened.
"I have been out with friends and it’s just nice doing normal things again."
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His mum, Michaela, who was told by medics he may not pull through when he was first in hospital covered in a mass of tubes and wires, has been amazed at how her son has coped.
The 43-year-old said: "He had his operation last Monday and came home on the Thursday. The swelling is starting to go down now and he’s getting back on track. He’s been really good.
"He’s looking after himself, he’s started sleeping sitting up to help get the swelling down. He’s just desperate to get his life back.
“He’s incredible, he’s never had any worries or doubts that he would do anything other than make a full recovery. We have been so lucky, everybody is blown away by how well he’s doing, it’s like a miracle."
Billy was punched by Jordan Cooper as he waited for a taxi near the Dog and Parrot pub, on Clayton Street West.
Newcastle Crown Court heard in the trial into the assault, how James Widdowson, who was with Cooper, became aggressive in the queue before pushing bystander Billy.
Cooper then suddenly stepped in and punched Billy hard, knocking him to the ground. The attacker then walked off and when told by door staff that Billy was lying on the ground, Cooper said he “didn’t ******* care”, the court was told.
Cooper, of Warwick Street, Blyth, admitted grievous bodily harm at Newcastle Crown Court. The 22-year-old, who has a previous conviction for another violent city centre assault, was jailed for two-and-a-half years.
Widdowson, 20, whose actions started off the chain of events, admitted common assault.
District Judge Sarah-Jayne Griffith told him: “Your actions that night started what then resulted in Mr Close being punched and sustaining they injuries. I believe if it hadn’t been for you starting that argument I don’t suppose he would have been punched by the other person at all.”
Widdowson, of Hartside Crescent, Backworth was given an eight-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months, with 80 hours unpaid work and a 25 day rehabilitation requirement. He must also pay Billy £165 in compensation.
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