A MAN found seriously injured in a pub car park in Bournemouth remains in a critical condition in hospital under a medically-induced coma.

Richard Woods, 61, was discovered in the grounds of the Cricketers Arms in Windham Road, Springbourne, just after midnight on Monday.

He was taken to Southampton General Hospital suffering from fractures to the face and internal bleeding in his head, which required surgery.

Doctors say they do not know how long he will be in the medically induced coma for.

Mr Woods is the partner of Sheila Doherty, landlady of the Cricketers Arms.

He owns the Union Motors garage next door to the pub and has two children.

Patrick Joseph Galbraith aka Doherty, 32, of Corporation Road, Bournemouth, appeared at Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court today charged with grievous bodily harm.

He is accused of inflicting GBH on Mr Woods between Saturday September 7 and Tuesday September 10.

Prosecutor Nicky Reece told the court Mr Woods suffered a “traumatic brain injury which will result in life changing and life threatening injuries”.

“At this time they do not know when he will be brought out of this coma.

“There is a possibility that Mr Woods may not make it.”

Doherty, Sheila Doherty’s son and represented by Brendan Allen, did not indicate a plea to the court.

He told he would next appear at Bournemouth Crown Court on Monday September 30.

Doherty was released on conditional bail to live and sleep at an address in Hertfordshire, comply with a curfew between 8pm and 6am, report daily to a police station and not have any contact with people involved in the case. He was also ordered to surrender his passport and not to enter Dorset unless for court hearings or legal meetings.

  • A 54-year-old woman and 55-year-old man, both from Bournemouth, arrested in connection with the incident have been released on police bail until the middle of November pending further enquiries.