Two men convicted of grievous bodily harm for attacking man with glass bottles in serious assault outside Birmingham pub
Two men are facing prison after admitting seriously injuring a man with glass bottles in a fight outside a pub.
Omar Clarke and Herbert Palmer have this week pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm.
West Midlands Police said officers were called to reports of disorder outside a pub in High Street, Erdington, on the afternoon of July 2 last year, where a man had been injured by a glass bottle.
An investigation was launched to find those responsible, and Operation Fearless officers began a trawl of CCTV to establish exactly what had happened and who was involved.
The force said that thanks to officers' knowledge of the community, they were able to identify Clarke and Palmer on the footage.
Police say the footage showed the victim seemingly trying to calm down an argument between Clarke and a woman, after which Clarke then pushed the man and hit him with a glass bottle.
Palmer, who was nearby, joined the attack as the victim tried to protect himself, smashing a bottle over the man's head as he walked away.
Investigators tracked the pair down, and both were arrested and subsequently charged over the assault.
At Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday (January 7) Clarke, 35, of Beech Dean Grove, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place; while Palmer, 59, of Parkhouse Drive, pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm.
Both will be sentenced in March.
Detective Constable Amelia Rose, from Operation Fearless, said: “The guilty plea reflects the gravity of the violence used and the serious long-term impact the attack has had.
“Grievous bodily harm is amongst the most serious violent offences and this outcome ensures both men will be held accountable for their actions.”
Operation Fearless Detective Inspector Tom Lyons said: “Our team have maintained a presence in Erdington, using their impressive skills and unique knowledge to help tackle crime and bring offenders to justice.
“We’re still working hard with neighbourhood and response colleagues to prevent offences around Erdington High Street, and diligent investigative work here has seen two dangerous offenders removed from it.”
