Teen still recovering after ‘callous’ assault

A man who kicked his teenage friend in the head and left him lying unconscious in the road where he was hit by a car has been jailed.

Connor Mockridge, 19, suffered a shattered pelvis when a car drove over him after Alex Jones kicked him and left him lying motionless in the road.

Mr Mockridge had to undergo surgery following the incident which Judge Thomas Crowther QC described as “callous”.

Cardiff Crown Court was told Jones and Mr Mockridge used to share a flat and were “best friends” until the incident.

The incident occurred following a New Year’s house party on King Edward VII Avenue in Newport.

Prosecutor Gareth James said a local resident saw a group of men “tussling” outside. He told the court Jones “exchanged punches” with two men, before moving on to the complainant.

Mr James said Jones “spun” him to the floor, before kicking his head. He said: “It appeared to render Mr Mockridge unconscious and he was lying motionless in the middle of the road.”

The court heard a car drove along the street about 30 seconds after the assault and collided with Mr Mockridge.

Mr Mockridge was treated for “significant” injuries to his pelvis, which was fractured and dislocated. Prosecutors said the victim was released from hospital in January, but his hip dislocated again and he was readmitted for further surgery.

Jones, 22, from Evans Street in Newport, pleaded guilty on January 30 to inflicting grievous bodily harm. Judge Crowther QC jailed Jones for 32 months.