Shropshire Star

Telford man found guilty of fracturing victim's skull with spirit level

A Telford man has been found guilty of fracturing another man's skull with a spirit level in a row but was cleared of a more serious charge of grievous bodily harm with intent.

Published

Kyle Vincent Ratcliff, 27, denied hitting Arthuras Oreskinas to the right side of his head with a spirit level during an altercation outside a house in Blakemore, Brookside, on August 5 last year.

He was also accused of attempting to cover his tracks with a false alibi during the trial at Shrewsbury Crown Court.

The jury yesterday found Ratcliff not guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. However, he was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm.

The trial had heard how Ratcliff's partner had texted him complaining of noise and a confrontation taking place next door, the home of Liam Hunt.

When Ratcliff arrived, Mr Hunt told him there were two men who he wanted out of his house, with one being Arthuras Oreskinas, the court was told.

A confrontation is then said to have taken place.

Settle

Debra White, defending, said Ratcliff, of Sixth Avenue, Ketley Bank, Telford, was shouted and sworn at, and was having things thrown at him.

He went inside to find his nunchuks, however he had to settle for a spirit level, she said.

When Ratcliff returned things were still being thrown at him, and he ran towards the garden fence and swung the spirit level. He thought he had hit the fence, however he had struck Mr Oreskinas, fracturing his skull, the court was told.

Mr Oreskinas also fractured his skull when he hit the ground, and he had to be put in an induced coma with a bleed on the brain, and it was not known whether he would survive.

Ratcliff had said the injuries caused were accidental.

Antoine Muller, prosecuting, alleged that Ratcliff struck the victim and said: "Getting up, I don't think so."

He was also alleged to have sent text messages admitting he lost control.

However he was found not guilty of intentionally hurting the victim, and will now be sentenced on the grievous bodily harm conviction on November 30.

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