A MAN whose skull was broken with a single unprovoked punch

should receive full state compensation even though he had been

drinking before the incident, a judge has ruled.

Speaking at Plymouth Crown Court yesterday, Recorder Frank

Abbot was reacting to a national news story which said the

Criminal Injury Compensation Authority is reducing payments to

victims of violence, including rape, when they had been

drinking.

But he said this should not happen to Ian Trump, whom he

said was utterly blameless and had suffered greatly.

Mr Trump, 42, was attacked by roofer Steven Hopkin in Exeter

Street on September 9 last year.

Although he was much smaller, the squash player managed to

wrestle Hopkin to the ground and pin him down to restrain

him.

But as the two got to their feet, Hopkin unleashed a single

punch which lifted Mr Trump off his feet, knocking him

unconscious and leaving him lying with his head in the

gutter.

Mr Trump suffered a fractured skull and a blood clot on the

brain, which required an operation, and spent three weeks in

hospital.

He was off work for six months and has suffered ongoing

physical and psychological problems.

Recorder Abbot said: "It would be quite wrong for his

Criminal Injuries Order to be affected by his consumption of

drink – I want that recorded.

"I hope the board will pay him more; he deserves it.

"He is a completely innocent person who was minding his own

business."

The judge noted Hopkin, 29, of Sherril Close, Staddiscombe,

had been convicted of affray in 1999 after drinking in an

Elburton pub.

A vehicle was damaged in an accident outside the pub, and

Hopkin attacked one of the passengers.

His attack on Mr Trump resulted in his conviction for

grievous bodily harm, following a two-day trial before the same

judge.

Kelly Scrivener, defending, produced 10 character references

and said Hopkin felt genuine remorse.

Had he not handed himself in at Charles Cross police station

the following day, he would probably never have been caught,

she added.

Recorder Abbot told Hopkin: "It is pure luck that Mr Trump

didn't die.

"You could have killed him and be facing a murder or

manslaughter charge."

He sentenced Hopkin to 10 months in jail, suspended for two

years, ordered him to pay Mr Trump £4,000 compensation at £40

per week and to do 200 hours of unpaid community work, warning

him: "Don't get in this situation again."

A spokesman for the Criminal Injury Compensation Authority

said: "We consider each case on an individual basis and the

CICA scheme will apply a reduction if the applicant has drunk

too much or used illegal drugs AND their conduct has

contributed to the circumstances."