Head-butting teenager is jailed

Alan Corney died three months after the attack

A teenager from Wales has been jailed for 18 months for head-butting a 67-year-old man who later died.

James Crawford, 18, attacked Alan Corney after the retired antiques dealer challenged him about his drunken and unruly behaviour.

Mr Corney was head-butted by Crawford on The Parade, in Parkgate, Cheshire, on 14 November 2008.

Crawford, from Gresford, had pleaded guilty to assault occasioning grievous bodily harm at Warrington Crown Court.

Three weeks after the attack Mr Corney, a father-of-two, collapsed and underwent brain surgery but never recovered and died in February.

Sentencing, Judge Stephen Clarke said: "Alan Corney was a gentleman of the old school and Crawford behaved in an extreme fashion, in a mindless act of violence causing him a grave injury."

Commenting on Crawford's "drunken, and uncontrollable behaviour", Judge Clarke added: "Society has lost the ability to respect each other."

Det Insp Andy Smith, from Cheshire Police, said: "The support from the public was crucial in tracing Crawford and I'd like to pass on the gratitude of Alan's family."