Ryan Thirlwell jailed for 27 months for Sudbury assault

Ryan Thirlwell, of Magnolia Drive, Colchester, previously admitted grievous bodily harm without intent in February this year and was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday.

The court heard the offence took place in Sudbury and Thirlwell had been taking prescription drugs and spirits in the evening with the victim.

Ryan Thirlwell, of Magnolia Drive, Colchester (Image: Essex Police)

An argument broke out and Thirwell put her in a headlock and punched her in the face until she lost consciousness.

When she came too, he was gone and she called a friend who told her to call police.

At first she told officers her injuries came from walking into a door but indicated she was lying and was afraid to reveal the perpetrator and eventually she said it was Thirlwell.

The court heard she had a wound to the forehead, a fractured eye socket and was bleeding from the right nostril and had bruising to the upper left chest.

The following day she reported double vision and restricted eyeball movement.

The victim died later that month aged 35, but the court heard it was from medical complications unrelated to the attack.

Initially Thirlwell denied the charges but after expert evidence was presented to him suggesting her injuries were likely to have come from an assault, he admitted the attack.

The court heard from defence barrister Edward Renvoize who said Thirlwell understood he deserved jail time.

“He recognises he fully deserves custody for what he did. He is extremely remorseful, not only for the assault but the cowardly way he acted afterwards and he is deeply ashamed and extremely sorry," said Mr Renvoize

Judge David Wilson then sentenced Thirwell to over two years in prison.