Father's plea fails to save 'thug' son.

Byline: Liz Keen

THE father of a student who knocked out a teenager told a court his son was at a crossroads in his life - and one road led to jail.

Matthew Farmer's father told Cardiff Crown Court there were two paths open to his 20year-old son - one offering a future and the other leading to a continuing life of crime.

He appealed for a last chance but Judge Stephen Hopkins QC handed down a 12-month sentence in a young offenders' institution, saying nothing less would do.

The judge told Farmer, who has previous convictions for assault: "There's a nasty, vicious, thuggish streak in you and you seem to enjoy hurting people."

Farmer had produced letters to the court from St David's Catholic College and from Reading University, confirming his offer of a place.

His father, businessman Stephen Farmer, of Cedar Way, Penarth, said he was intellectually gifted and a good lad who had started to change and take responsibilities for his actions.

He told the court: "I'm appalled by his record but he's at a crossroads - one road leads to university and the other to HMP Cardiff or Parc Prison, Bridgend, and that would be a waste.

"I've been busy setting up a business when perhaps I should have made more time...... but hindsight is a wonderful thing. I want him to be a good member of society and reach his potential."

But Judge Hopkins said Farmer's latest victim - knocked unconscious while in the Oceana Club in Greyfriars Road last November - had to eat through a straw because of his injuries.

He lost more than a stone in weight, loves football but had to stop playing because of dizziness and blurred vision and his confidence was knocked because of his teeth, causing him problems with job interviews and college.

"He summed it up when he said 'a year ago I didn't have a care in the world, now I worry constantly, looking over my shoulder'," the judge said.

Prosecutor Laurence Jones said the teenage victim was hurt when he tried to defuse a situation involving a friend, afraid there might be a fight.

Mr Jones said: "He simply went over and said 'come on with us to the dance floor' and, as he turned to walk away, was punched and felt his mouth split open. More blows followed to his head and face. Witnesses said the defendant took up a boxing stance before hitting him and hospital records recorded a 'gaping' wound."

Judge Hopkins told Farmer: "As a father myself, I know how difficult it must have been for your father to seek to defend someone with your record.

"He says he's seen a change in you - but it was too little, too late."