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Ballet dancer Jack Widdowson's attacker jailed for 13 years | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A man who attacked a ballet dancer, broke his neck and left him lying in the street has been jailed for 13 years. | A man who attacked a ballet dancer, broke his neck and left him lying in the street has been jailed for 13 years. |
Jack Widdowson, 19, from Somerset, was assaulted by Mohammed Ali Mohamoed, 27, on a disused canal towpath in Cardiff. | Jack Widdowson, 19, from Somerset, was assaulted by Mohammed Ali Mohamoed, 27, on a disused canal towpath in Cardiff. |
Mohamoed, of Splott, Cardiff, was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent but cleared of attempted murder. | Mohamoed, of Splott, Cardiff, was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent but cleared of attempted murder. |
Eight months later Mr Widdowson was able to dance again. | Eight months later Mr Widdowson was able to dance again. |
His family called it a "miracle" recovery. | His family called it a "miracle" recovery. |
Mr Widdowson, an apprentice dancer at the Bern Ballet Company in Switzerland, had performed two days before the attack on 5 November 2011. | Mr Widdowson, an apprentice dancer at the Bern Ballet Company in Switzerland, had performed two days before the attack on 5 November 2011. |
His mobile phone was stolen and he was left for dead on the outskirts of the city centre near East Tyndall Street at 00:45. | His mobile phone was stolen and he was left for dead on the outskirts of the city centre near East Tyndall Street at 00:45. |
He had been visiting his brother who was studying at Cardiff University. | He had been visiting his brother who was studying at Cardiff University. |
Mohamoed admitted stealing his phone at the trial at Cardiff Crown Court but claimed someone else must have hurt him. | Mohamoed admitted stealing his phone at the trial at Cardiff Crown Court but claimed someone else must have hurt him. |
Prosecutor Michael Mather-Lees QC told Mohamoed: "You broke his neck, then you lied to police because you realised you had committed a dreadful offence." | Prosecutor Michael Mather-Lees QC told Mohamoed: "You broke his neck, then you lied to police because you realised you had committed a dreadful offence." |
After the attack, it was feared Mr Widdowson would be paralysed. | After the attack, it was feared Mr Widdowson would be paralysed. |
The dancer told BBC Wales ballet was his "passion" and the attack made him more determined than ever to succeed. | |
His father Dr Julian Widdowson said his "incredible flexibility" may have saved his life and aided his "miracle" recovery. | His father Dr Julian Widdowson said his "incredible flexibility" may have saved his life and aided his "miracle" recovery. |
Mr Widdowson's rehabilitation treatments included hydrotherapy and physiotherapy sessions which he described as "long and difficult". | Mr Widdowson's rehabilitation treatments included hydrotherapy and physiotherapy sessions which he described as "long and difficult". |
Judge Justice Wyn Williams sentenced Mohamoed to 13 years and ordered he be deported after serving his sentence. | Judge Justice Wyn Williams sentenced Mohamoed to 13 years and ordered he be deported after serving his sentence. |
The judge told him: "You left him lying in the street which was callous in the extreme. You are a dangerous offender." | The judge told him: "You left him lying in the street which was callous in the extreme. You are a dangerous offender." |
Mr Widdowson's parents, who have since set up a charity called the Dance Again Foundation, praised their son. | |
They said: "Jack has made an amazing recovery from a horrific injury and we would like to thank the many people who have helped to achieve that. | |
"He has been performing for some time now and has already performed publicly on a number of occasions. | |
"We and he are just delighted that he has been able to resume his career as a dancer despite what happened to him." | |
They said their son's injuries and the problems he suffered prompted them to set up the charity which helps other injured dancers access the right support and treatment. | |
They said: "We can now put this behind us and we're looking forward to continuing to support Jack and all our children in their careers." | |
After sentencing, Det Con Mike Owens, from South Wales Police, said: "Jack Widdowson had been enjoying a night out with family and friends when he was subjected to a shocking level of violence - the level which we rarely see in Cardiff. | After sentencing, Det Con Mike Owens, from South Wales Police, said: "Jack Widdowson had been enjoying a night out with family and friends when he was subjected to a shocking level of violence - the level which we rarely see in Cardiff. |
"Amazingly Jack, who is such a talented young man, has made a full recovery and we are delighted that he is back dancing again. | "Amazingly Jack, who is such a talented young man, has made a full recovery and we are delighted that he is back dancing again. |
"Today's decision will hopefully allow Jack and his family to finally put this incident behind them." | "Today's decision will hopefully allow Jack and his family to finally put this incident behind them." |