A Royal Marine who left a promising rugby player with a brain injury after assaulting him in the street has been allowed to remain in his post.
Archie Prosser, 22, had to undergo emergency surgery after being attacked by Courtney Fry whilst on a night out with friends on October 12, 2022.
The Portsmouth University Student was outside a Sainsbury’s store when the altercation erupted, with the injury leaving him unable to walk properly.
A brain scan would later reveal, as a result of Fry’s attack, he had sustained several bleeds on the brain and had to have surgery to remove a clot.
Described as the worst night of his family’s life, his relatives were warned by doctors that he could die from the injuries he sustained.
Luckily, the Bath Rugby Academy player pulled through and survived – but was told he could never play his beloved sport again.
Fry, who claimed he was acting in self-defence, was later found guilty of grievous bodily harm without intent after a trial at Portsmouth Crown Court.
Despite his conviction, the 29-year-old was able to continue with the Royal Navy, while Mr Prosser’s professional rugby dreams were dashed.
Archie Prosser, 22, (pictured) had to undergo emergency surgery after being attacked by Courtney Fry whilst on a night out with friends on October 12, 2022
Courtney Fry, 29, has been able to continue his career with the Royal Marines despite being convicted of grievous bodily harm without intent
And amid the fallout, the 22-year-old has revealed he feels ‘totally betrayed’ by the UK’s legal system and ‘baffled’ that Fry has been able to continue his military career.
‘Fry did not get any serious punishment relative to the crime he committed,’ he told The Telegraph.
‘He assaulted me to the point I needed emergency brain surgery to save my life.’
The 22-year-old asserted justice had not been served as his attacker would have had a ‘worse punishment for shoplifting’.
At court, Fry’s legal team argued that time behind bars would affect his military career. He was ordered to carry a 95-hour community order and a £10,000 fine.
‘His punishment for almost killing me was a fine and community service,’ Mr Prosser added of the attack when he was 19.
Special milestones and moments have been ripped away him, according to the 22-year-old, as he revealed Fry’s attack had taken him ‘to the darkest and lowest points of [his] life.’
His older brother Jack also echoed his frustration following the attack which he dubbed ‘the worst night of his life’.
Detailing how his parents almost lost their youngest son and he, his brother, Jack said the outcome felt like ‘a miscarriage of justice’.
He also urged the Royal Marines to sack Fry, describing the decision to keep Fry in his role as a ‘dangerous mindset’.
Jack also maintained that the public should be made aware that the military is using taxpayer funds to pay the salary of a man guilty of GBH.
MP for Taunton and Wellington, Gideon Armos said he has been left ‘very concerned’ by the outcome of the incident.
‘What happened to Archie should never happen to anyone. There is no excuse for violence that leaves someone injured in this way,’ the Lib Dem politician said.
‘I was obviously very concerned to hear about it and am in active discussion with his family to see what support I can provide.’
A Royal Navy spokesperson said: ‘We place great importance on our people always maintaining the highest standards of behaviour and the civilian court system has recognised that the behaviour of this individual was inappropriate.
‘In all cases of a criminal conviction, the Royal Navy will assess the implications for the individual’s employment; however, the specific actions taken remain a private matter between the Service and the individual.’
