Wolverhampton bouncer now stays locked in room after knife attack
The family of a Wolverhampton pub bouncer today told of the terrible consequences of the knife attack that left him close to death.
Father of one Christopher Ramsey, known as Ian, suffered a two inch cut to the heart and needed resuscitating after 'dying' on the operating table during life saving surgery.
The wound also caused kidney failure and an extensive bleed to the right side of the brain that led to part of the 38-year-old's skull being removed.
He told detectives in a recorded video interview after the June 7 incident outside the Harp Inn in Walsall Road, Horseley Fields: "He wanted to get in with a drink and I told him he can't get in. That's where it starts from.
"He tried to push past me and I pushed him back. He hurt me with a knife like a Samurai. I think his name is Craig. He is a twin. I have got on all right with them in the past."
The condition of Mr Ramsey later deteriorated and he was unable to give evidence in person during the trial of his attacker Craig Birch, 31. Friends said that the victim was now wheelchair bound and needed 24 hour a day care.
His partner of nine years, Miss Natalie Forbes, explained after the case: "He was the life and soul of the party and nothing was too much trouble for him. Our son Wren was born in 2010 and Ian wanted us to do everything we could to ensure our child had the best education possible.
"Ian and I worked hard. He had three jobs. He was a gardener, ran a Caribbean food store and also worked in security. He wanted Wren to have everything he had not had as a child. He loved playing with his son.
"Now he needs 24 hour a day care and cannot be with Wren on his own. He will never be the person or character that he was. He is terrified and stays at home with the door locked. He cannot speak for himself and so I have to tell you how he has been robbed of his independence and the joy of playing with his son. For a man with such a strong work ethic this is really terrible."
Mr Ramsey was stabbed through the heart after stopping father of four Birch from taking a bottle of brandy into the Harp Inn around 2.30am on June 7.
Judge John Warner told Wolverhampton Crown Court as he jailed the father of four from Inkerman Street, Heath Town for 14 years for causing grievous bodily harm with intent: "This case clearly illustrates the dangers of carrying a knife and using it and why courts have to take such a serious view of such offences."
