Bully Billy Gets Suspended Jail Term After Brutal Attack on Young Woman
Billy Hibberd, 31, from Erith, has been handed a nine-month prison sentence – but it’s suspended for two years. He was convicted of actual bodily harm at Woolwich Crown Court on Tuesday, 2 November, after a savage 2020 attack.
Brutal Punch Knocked Victim Unconscious
On 20 May 2020, Hibberd aggressively confronted a group of young people walking along North Cray Road. The drama started earlier when he challenged them in a nearby park over comments he thought were about his relative.
A 19-year-old woman in the group asked Hibberd to leave them alone. Instead, he went ballistic and punched her square in the face. She was knocked out cold and fell hard to the ground.
Her friends rushed her home, where her parents called an ambulance. In hospital, scans revealed she had a broken collarbone and a cracked skull.
Police Hunt Ends with Arrest
The police launched an urgent investigation, releasing CCTV images to the public. This led to Hibberd’s quick ID and arrest.
Detective Constable James Steel said: “Billy Hibberd is a cowardly bully who used his size to intimidate a group of young people. He punched a young woman who had the bravery to ask him to leave them alone, causing serious head injuries.”
PC Steel praised the victim’s courage in giving evidence, aided by video interviews at her home to make the process easier.
Met Vows to Support Victims and Crack Down on Violence
“Her physical injuries have healed, but the mental scars run deep,” Steel added. “We are committed to bringing violent bullies like Hibberd to justice and supporting victims of violent crime every step of the way.”
Thanks to witness tips after a media appeal, justice caught up with Hibberd, who now faces two years suspended from jail – a warning to others who think size gives them the right to bully.
