A man has been jailed for over two years after brutally attacking a 'friend' and leaving him with life changing injuries – then trying to intimidate him into not going to the police.

Adam Robson, 20, of Stuart Way, Dedworth, headbutted the 22-year-old and punched him, breaking his jaw in two places. Robson later sent the victim a number of intimidating and threatening messages via Facebook Messenger, in a bid to prevent him from reporting the incident to the police. The attack had taken place in the Goswell Hill service road in Windsor during a night out on December 30, and Robson had been drinking with the victim before the sudden assault.

The following day Robson’s friend, Fabio Coelho, 21, sent more intimidating messages to the man and made a number of threats via his social media platforms. The victim believed these were aimed at getting him to withdraw his complaint to police.

Last Friday, April 6, Robson was sentenced to two years and and two months imprisonment for grievous bodily harm at Reading Crown Court plus two months to run consecutively for witness intimidation. Coelho was sentenced to 12 weeks’ detention at a Young Offenders’ Institute, suspended for a year having earlier been convicted of witness intimidation at Slough Magistrates' Court. Both additionally received restraining orders preventing them from contacting the 22-year-old or going to the street where he lives.

Robson had pleaded guilty to his offences.

Investigating officer, Det Con Claire Lloyd, of Maidenhead Investigation Hub, said: “The assault and subsequent witness intimidation were serious offences which have caused the victim and their family a great deal of anxiety over the last four months.

“The victim received life changing injuries as a result of the unprovoked attack visited upon him by Robson on what was supposed to have been a night out with friends.

“What followed the attack was a conscious and deliberate course of conduct by both Robson and Coelho via social media platforms to intimidate and discredit the victim. "Both offenders showed no concern for the victim but instead 100 per cent interest in preserving Robson’s liberty and ensuring he would never face the consequences of his actions.

“Had it not been for the bravery of the victim and witnesses and their total belief in the judicial system, Robson and Coelho may not have received such reflective sentences.

"Thames Valley Police will always work tirelessly to secure convictions against those who take the law into their own hands and cause misery to innocent members of the public both in person and via social media.”

Speaking following the case, the victim, who wished to remain anonymous, stated: “I am pleased this has been dealt with in a proactive and efficient manner by the judicial system and feel the sentence was appropriate considering the injuries I sustained.”