AN Aberystwyth teenager has been jailed today following an attack on a student which left him in a coma for four weeks.

Four other men were also jailed for the part they played in the attack on second-year criminology student, Ifan Owens, 20, from Cardiff, in the early hours of Sunday, 14 January, on High Street in Aberystwyth.

Billy Valentine, 19, of the flat, Vale of Rheidol, Terrace Road, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent at a hearing in Swansea Crown Court last week and this morning was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years at a young offenders’ institution.

Four other men were also jailed for the part they played in the attack, after admitting charges of violent disorder.

David Lloyd, 25, no fixed address, was jailed for three years and eight months; Andrew Scott, 23, of Dolwyre, Llangwyryfon and Michael Jones, 24, of Waunwen Farm, Llanfair Clydogau were both jailed for 30 months, and Lee Andersen-Warnes, 20, of Min-y-Dre, Newcastle Emlyn, was jailed for 25 months.

Judge Keith Thomas said the five must share responsibility for the "devastating consequences" of their activities.

The court heard Mr Owens was walking with two friends when they were attacked before Mr Owens became separated from the group.

Mr Owens told Valentine that he "didn’t want to fight".

He was hit with a traffic cone then punched by Valentine "with a sufficiently heavy blow" before falling to the ground where he "probably hit his head on the curb".

In a victim impact statement, read to the court on behalf of Mr Owens’s father, Gareth Owens, he said his family "really feared the worst" after the attack.

As a result of his injuries, his son suffered from fatigue, memory loss, hearing problems, and has issues with his speech, the court heard.

He is also unsure whether he will return to his university studies.

Valentine’s defence lawyer said he "went off the rails" following a personal tragedy, while the defence for the other men stressed the attack had not been premeditated.

Following the sentence, Detective Chief Inspector Anthony Evans, said: “I’m pleased that this investigation has today concluded with the sentencing of the five offenders.

“This brutal attack happened in January of this year leaving the victim Ifan Owens in a very serious condition in hospital. Thankfully he continues to make a significant recovery.

“The incident shook the community of Aberystwyth, and I would like to thank members of that community for their continued support and understanding during what has been a lengthy and complex investigation.

“Officers and police staff from Ceredigion and specialist teams from across the Dyfed-Powys force as a whole have worked tirelessly to find and convict those who carried out the attack.

“I hope the convictions for this attack will go some way to reassuring victims and the wider community that this level of violence is unusual in our area, but when it does happen, we will do everything we can to catch and convict those who have committed the offence.

“Ifan’s family has requested that I pass on their gratitude to the following people and services.

“Firstly, the medical staff from the ambulance service, Bronglais Hospital, and University of Wales Hospital.

“Secondly, the police and CPS for the thoroughness of the investigation, as well as Aberystwyth University for their continued support and advice.

“They would also like to thank family and friends, and the people of Aberystwyth for their immense support.”