Murder trial jury told of assault on stroke victim

A STROKE victim died after his head was stamped on in a “savage and vicious” attack, a court heard.

Disabled Robert Young, 53, was found unconscious in his home with blood spattered over the walls.

Mr Young’s blood and hair were found on the shoe of his friend Richard Thomas, 36, who denies murder.

The jury was warned to prepare themselves before being shown photos of Mr Young’s battered face and head.

Prosecutor David Elias said: “Mr Young had a stroke and did not have full use of his right leg and arm.

“Thomas and his girlfriend called to see him on the day of the attack and they were drinking together. Precisely what happened next may never be known.But Mr Young suffered a serious brain injury when he was subjected to a savage and vicious assault.”

Thomas had “no psychological issues” when he pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent in 2014.

But after Mr Young died from his injuries in June 2015, his attacker now claims he was suffering from “an abnormality of mental function”.

Mr Elias said: “The prosecution say that although affected by alcohol and drugs, the defendant formed the intent to cause Robert Young serious injury. He did that and is guilty of Mr Young’s murder.”

The court heard Mr Young was put on a life-support system at the University Hospital of Wales and had to be fed through a tube directly into his stomach. His family took the decision that he should not be resuscitated.

Mr Elias told the jury: “He gradually deteriorated and died on June, 11 2015. He never recovered from the brain injury which played a significant part in his death.”

Thomas, of Fir Tree Drive, Treharris, denies murder and the trial continues.