OAP attacked for not wishing sister a happy birthday

JAILED for seven years . . . James Morgan

AN Oldham thug gave 999 operators a sick running commentary as he punched a frail pensioner unconscious.

James Morgan (38) has been jailed for subjecting his sister’s 66-year-old partner to a savage beating -because he forgot to wish her a happy birthday.

Morgan’s sister, Elizabeth Morgan (51) called 999. But Morgan carried on the violence, describing to the operators the blows he was inflicting and boasting that he planned to execute his helpless victim and throw him from the window of the Blackley flat.

Elizabeth Morgan could be heard laughing after Morgan asked her “How many bones do you want me to break?”

She admitted a charge of wounding for her part in encouraging the offence and was given a 12-month community order last December.

The victim suffered a life-threatening bleed on his brain, Manchester Crown Court heard.

Morgan, of Hollins Road, was jailed for seven years, with an extended licence period of five years, after being branded a “dangerous offender” by a judge. He admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm following the attack on December 14, 2014.

Morgan, the victim and Miss Morgan were into the second day of a drunken birthday celebration when the violence began. The victim, a chronic alcoholic, spent six weeks in hospital as a result of his injuries. His mental health has since deteriorated.

Steve Tettey, defending, said the case was tragic for all involved, and Morgan had written a letter to his sister apologising.

Morgan has previous convictions for bomb hoaxes, and arson at a petrol station - which the court heard could have caused a massive explosion.

Judge Richard Mansell said: “The only hint on what caused you to assault him was that he had forgotten to wish your sister a happy birthday.

“There’s a disturbing recording of the 999 call in which you were clearly heard making comments suggestive of your intention to seriously injure, if not kill him.

“It’s quite plain you rendered him unconscious and bleeding during the attack, and yet continued to assault him. Had nobody rung police and he had gone to sleep in an alcoholic state, he could and probably would have died. You have an impetuous and violent streak which makes you very dangerous when you drink to excess.”