Soldier left bloodied and bruised after savage attack

Sep 26 2008 by Chloe Griffiths

A SOLDIER was left bloodied and bruised after being chased and beaten by three drunken "animals" on his return from Iraq.

William Wood, 22, was on a night out with a friend in Birkenhead while on leave from the forces when he was set upon in a unprovoked attack.

Liverpool crown court heard the three men pursued Mr Wood, who has done two tours of duty in war-torn Iraq with the First Royal Tank Regiment, down the street.

After tripping him up in Argyle Street, they repeatedly kicked his head and body until he lost consciousness.

The attack was only halted when two Good Samaritans passing in a car stopped and went to help Mr Wood.

But the three men - Brian Metcalfe, Paul O’Gorman, Shea Hickson, all 21 - were spared jail after the court heard they acted totally "out of character" and Mr Wood was not seriously injured.

Father-of-one Metcalfe, of Stanley Road, New Ferry, and Hickson, of Olive Crescent, Birkenhead, both denied assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

They were convicted by a jury this week and were yesterday (FRI) ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid work in the community, share the £1,660 court costs and pay £250 in compensation to Mr Wood.

O’Gorman, of Bedford Avenue, Birkenhead, who admitted the assault on August 25 last year, was sentenced to do 90 hours of unpaid work and pay a total of £250 in costs and compensation.