A TEENAGE Liverpool rower hoping to compete in the world's most famous regatta has been locked up for a two-year-old crime.
Michael Hornby, 17, of Childers Street, Old Swan, was down to the final 20 for a chance to row at the Henley Regatta as part of Sir Steve Redgrave's Liverpool 8 rookie rowing crew.
But despite glowing references from the Olympian the apprentice roofer was sentenced by a judge at Liverpool crown court to 10 months' detention for his part in a street fight two years ago.
Managers of the Liverpool 8 show, due to be screened on ITV this autumn, said today they were sorry to lose the teenager who had been making great progress.
The teenager also helped rescue a fellow crew member when their four-man boat capsized and his feet became trapped under water.
A spokesman for the programme said: "It's sad to lose someone who was showing great promise, and the other lads are missing him both as a friend and a budding athlete."
Michael was charged with a section 47 assault causing actual bodily harm and was convicted after a trial.
His father Tony said: "I brought Michael up on his own after his mother died, and if he was a bad boy and I had the police on my doorstep I'd say 'that's fair'.
"But I just think the sentence is really harsh. He was a young boy when it happened and he hasn't been in trouble since. He's even stopped a street mugging and held on to the guy until the police arrived."
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