An unprovoked one punch attack from a teenager leaves ex-Carlisle player Danny Hodgson “unlikely to ever play football again”.
Some may recall from last year when the footballer, who had been playing out in Australia, went into a coma and was left unable to walk.
The culprit, a 17-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons, is reported to have had a violent history and was already subject to a 24-hour curfew at the time of the attack in Perth.
“I’m feeling great, it’s great to be back here.”
Danny Hodgson has spoken for the first time since an unprovoked attack seven months ago left him with a severe brain injury.
He’s been back at his football club in Perth. https://t.co/dCFmgqx21r
Video: @7NewsAustralia pic.twitter.com/j6Gd4IRQgZ— ITV News Border (@ITVborder) March 19, 2022
Danny, 26, originally from Cleaton Moor, Cumbria, ended up with a bleed on the brain and fractured skull, and with it at the time of the pandemic, it was difficult for his family to fly over to be by his bedside, only to be allowed after raising awareness in the media.
His attacker was jailed for three and a half years, while Danny’s mum Nicola claimed: “No sentence would have been long enough.
“It was a light sentence but at the same time, we’ve got to remember this guy was 17-years-old and we’re just hoping rehabilitation will do him justice and he’ll come out a better person.”
“We just wanted a bit of justice done for Danny and we just want to carry on with our lives now and get Danny better,” Mrs Hodgson said outside court.
Perth Children’s Court heard how the youth was on bail and should have been obeying a 24-hour curfew order when he punched Danny Hodgson without warning near the city’s train station in the early hours of 5 September, BBC News reports.
Danny, then 25, had moved from his hometown to play for NPL Western Australia side ECU Joondalup.
The footballer was left in a coma unable to walk, and is “unlikely to ever play football again”.
ABC journalist Joanna Menagh, who was in court, told BBC Radio Cumbria: “The attack on Danny Hodgson was a culmination of a seven-month crime spree of this young teenager.
“He had committed other offences including stealing alcohol from liquor stores and punching other random strangers on the street – in one case he broke a man’s nose.
“He had lived in regional Western Australia before but the trouble seemed to happen when he came to Perth and he was unsupervised and was roaming the city’s streets when he encountered Danny Hodgson, who had been out celebrating with team-mates after playing the final game of the season.”
Ms Menagh adds: “The judge said the cowardice continued after punching Danny as he ran away without offering assistance and went off to socialise with people in the city, he tried to disguise himself and avoid being detected by changing his clothing, and giving the hat he was wearing to someone else.
“The court was told it’s unlikely Danny Hodgson will ever play football again and these disabilities he has suffered will be permanent.”
Danny spent weeks in intensive care before he was moved to a rehabilitation hospital in November 2021.
He went into surgery to reattach his skull earlier this year at the Sir Charles Gaidner Hospital in Perth.
The teenager was sent to three years and eight months in juvenile detention, with the judge calling his attack cowardly.
He will be made to serve 22 months before he can be considered for early release. The sentence has been slammed by many however.
It was a “bittersweet” moment for the footballer’s family who on the same day were finally able to go home after he was discharged from the rehab centre.
#Breaking “Danny Said He Would Walk Out Of Hospital & He Did”
Danny Hodgson’s Mum Nicola has shared these heart-melting moments as Danny walks out of the hospital on his way home “for good”.#DH7 #perthnews #dannyhodgson pic.twitter.com/RzYRrq87Un— 10 News First Perth (@10NewsFirstPER) March 18, 2022
In a Facebook post, mum, Nicola shared a video of her son Danny walking out the centre with assistance from two staff members.
She wrote: “On Sunday 5 September 2021 our world was shattered when we learned that our son Danny Hodgson had been rushed to hospital following an unprovoked attack at the Perth Train Station.
“It was a single moment in time that would not only alter the course of his life, but the lives of all those who know and love him.
“Tomorrow (Friday 18 March 2022) the person who irrevocably changed Danny’s future through an unimaginable act of violence will be sentenced.
“We understand the Judge in this case has the power to issue a maximum sentence of ten years imprisonment for the horrendous crime against Danny.While ten years won’t come anywhere near the life sentence imposed on Danny, we believe his perpetrator must face the most serious consequences for the pain and suffering he has inflicted on an innocent young man.
“Tomorrow’s sentencing is an opportunity for WA’s judicial system to say enough is enough.
“It must loudly and clearly declare that coward punches must stop and demonstrate that the penalty for those who recklessly attack innocent people acknowledges the terrible, far-reaching impact these acts have on victims and their families.
“Danny continues to amaze us every day and we are in awe of his courage and determination.
But make no mistake. His recovery is slow, painful and emotionally and physically exhausting.
“For every tiny bit of progress that bring us all tears of joy, there are struggles and setbacks that bring tears of sorrow.
“This once superbly fit and strong semi-professional footballer is now observing life from a hospital ward and willing himself to just put one foot in front of the other with the aid of nurses and physios.
“It is heartbreaking to contemplate all Danny has lost, and we have no way of knowing if he will ever walk again, let alone run out onto a football pitch and score a goal or even hold down a job.
“To all those who have supported us over the past six gruelling months – thank you for your messages, kindness, and prayers.
“But the nightmare journey we have been living isn’t over yet and we have one more thing to ask of you all. Please urge the judicial system to give Danny Hodgson the justice he deserves tomorrow.
“An appropriate sentence isn’t just about acknowledging our family’s suffering. It’s about drawing a line in the sand for cowardly acts of violence and demanding a safer Perth city where every life is respected and valued. We have lost so much to one violent individual but there is one thing he can’t take from us – our unwavering belief in our brave strong and resilient son, Danny Hodgson.”
On Sunday 5 September 2021 our world was shattered when we learned that our son Danny Hodgson had been rushed to…
Posted by Nicola Hodgson on Thursday, 17 March 2022
Social media users reacted as the unprovoked one punch leaves ex-Carlisle player “unlikely to ever play football again”…
@James220203: All the best to Danny and his recovery… that sentence is shockingly poor though
@thepilotswife1: The Australian system is as soft as the UK. This is no sentence what so ever. All we can hope for is karma.
@windscaleafc: Incredible bravery. What fantastic man 👏🏼
@LGEShazbot: Lovely story. Well done to the Doctors/Nurses and Specialists too! 🤩
@JaneMAngel: Lots of love Danny and family ! Keep up the good work !
@SkiddyJim: An old fart in Texas just got choked up. Best wishes to all!
@CamNeubacher: Nice work Danny, keep pushing on! You’ve got this! Seeing what happened to you ripped a hole in my heart & I’m not going to say what my feelings felt towards that coward who did this to you are, it’s not the place. I’ll be cheering every milestone you make, you are awesome Danny!
@Jcat09457830: This breaks my heart. The kid that done it only got 3 years Makes me sick the world we live in sometimes 🤮
@FtblShirtsAus: Sorry for the very large amount of retweets, but the sentence handed down to Danny Hodgson’s attacker (someone who had 23 charges over their head already) is poor. Justice has sadly not been properly served. 3 yrs 8 mths, whilst Danny faces a lifetime of rehab 😕
@erinfogarty20: Tearjerker. The little bastard that did this to Danny has to serve 22 months??!!! Absolute joke!!! 10 years minimum #justicefordanny #whatajoke #unacceptable
@Protenpinner: Absolutely brilliant news 👏👏. Keep going @DANNNYY7, the footballing world is behind you 110%!
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