A Norwich skateboarder who left school caretaker Roy Money in hospital for seven weeks has had his sentence cut by a third by senior judges who called his jail term 'excessive'.

Eastern Daily Press: Notre Dame High School. Finkelgate entrance. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYNotre Dame High School. Finkelgate entrance. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2016)

Jack Place, 21, of St Marys Grove, was jailed for 22 months at Norwich Crown Court on October 17 last year.

He admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm on 69-year-old Roy Money, Mr Justice Warby told London's Appeal Court today.

Place and two friends were skateboarding in the grounds of Notre Dame High School, in Surrey Street, on May 21 last year.

When Mr Money spotted them, he asked them to leave.

Place's friends picked up their belongings and left, but he remained and became 'involved in an argument' with the school caretaker.

He stood in front of his victim in an 'intimidatory way', and there was 'some push or punch' from the caretaker in self-defence, said the judge.

Place moved away, but then 'squared up' to Mr Money again and punched him, causing him to fall backwards to the ground.

When the victim returned to his home his wife noticed he was bleeding from his ear.

She asked what had happened but he was unable to tell her.

A CT scan revealed bleeding on the brain and he also had a skull fracture and was hospitalised for seven weeks.

By the time that Place was sentenced, Mr Money was still having problems with his memory.

Place 'expressed remorse' for what he had done and said he was 'having a bad time' because a relationship had ended.

Having drunk a can and a half of beer, he was to 'some extent emboldened by alcohol'.

His barrister, Andrew Oliver, argued that his sentence was far too harsh and should be cut.

He pointed to it being a single blow, the lack of pre-meditation, his previous good character and remorse and his relative youth.

Mr Justice Warby, sitting with the Lord Chief Justice, Sir Ian Burnett and Mr Justice Julian Knowles, allowed the appeal.

'This sentence was excessive and should be reduced,' said the judge.

The court cut Place's sentence from 24 months to 16 months in a young offender institution.