Rock fan escapes jail after attacking Birmingham O2 Academy concert goer

A rock fan who battered unconscious a fellow concert-goer following a row over the glare from his bald head spoiling his view of the band has been spared jail.

Andrew Ridley, 57, viciously attacked Mark Stevens after an argument broke out at a Monster Truck gig at Birmingham's O2 Academy on April 19, 2019.

A court heard how the "two middle aged men at a music concert" clashed after Ridley blamed Mr Stevens' head for ruining his view of the Canadian rock band. The victim suffered a bleed on the brain after Ridley - who is balding himself -flew into a rage and repeatedly punched Mr Stevens to the ground.

Ridley, from Northfield, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm and was handed a 15 month prison sentence, suspended for two years on Monday (January 29). He was also ordered to do 150 hours unpaid work and pay £150 compensation at Birmingham Crown Court.

A trial previously heard how Mr Stevens had gone to the gig, which was "quite busy with around 100 people and loud music being played", with his brother. Ridley had been there with his son when the "insulting comments" were made over "something rather trivial."

Philip Beardwell, prosecuting, said: "It seems they were standing watching and there was a disagreement about who could see what. It was over lights shining off heads, something rather trivial, you may think."

The trial in August 2022 had to be abandoned and Ridley, who had previously denied wounding with intent, subsequently admitted the alternative charge. At his sentencing hearing prosecutor Matilda Robinson-Murphy said: "At around 8.30pm an altercation started between Mr Stevens and the defendant.

"Insulting comments were made to Mark Stevens. Witnesses saw Mr Stevens push Ridley to the chest but the push was not hard enough to make him fall over. What happened next was that Ridley pushed Mark Stevens to the floor, knocking him unconscious. Robinson then straddled Mr Stevens and continued to punch him hard to the face and body."

Miss Robinson-Murphy said the victim suffered a bleed to the brain and was kept under neurological observation for four days. He had to take three weeks off work, had to take anti seizure medication and now suffers from high blood pressure and short term memory loss.

Mr Stevens also described himself feeling vulnerable and anxious cancelling social events and said he no longer went to gigs. Sentencing, Recorder William Webb said "You stood near Mr Stevens and a verbal altercation arose between the two of you. What was said is not important but matters got more and more heated."

He said the victim was knocked unconscious for about 20 minutes, after Ridley had "rained hard blows while he lay on the ground". The judge said the attack could not be described as short lived and that the victim had suffered "very nasty injuries." He added: "But this appears to have been a one off event, a very serious aberration you have paid dearly for."

Rupert Taylor, defending, said: "He has expressed remorse and contrition. He was not in drink. He was not the instigator of the confrontation but his reaction was wholly excessive. These were simply two middle aged men at a music concert."

Mr Taylor added Ridley had worked as a supervisor in the gas industry but was currently unemployed.