QPR star opens up on attack that left him with prison sentence and victim with broken skull - The Mirror

QPR star Ilais Chair admits a fight involving him in Belgium, which saw an individual left with a fractured skull after being struck by a rock, was the darkest day of his life

QPR star Ilais Chair admits his attack, which saw him hit with a 12-month prison sentence after he left his victim with a fractured skull, was "the darkest day of my life".

His nightmare stemmed from an incident in the summer of 2020 when Chair, then 22, was on holiday with family and friends. After a kayaking trip in Belgium’s Ardennes Forest an argument began with another group over who would get the bus back from the excursion.

The man identified in the case as Niels T was part of the other group and, after a fight broke out, Chair's mother was caught in the crossfire. According to Belgium’s public prosecutor, there was “hitting, scratching, and biting” in the altercation. Come the end of the incident, Niels T was left on the ground with a skull fracture that measured 2cm and Chair was identified as the man who hit him over the head with a stone.

It was only in January 2024 that Chair realised he was the subject of criminal proceedings. The incident had developed from a civil case to a criminal one but he didn't know he had to be present in court. He later requested a fresh hearing, armed with lawyers, but had his request denied.

Chair was left to digest a sentence of two years in prison, 12 months of it suspended. He was also to pay the victim €15,000 (£12,800) in compensation. Chair’s cousin, Jaber, was sentenced to six months in prison for his part in the brawl.

Reflecting on that whole episode, the QPR ace told The Athletic: “That was probably the darkest day of my life. You automatically go into the worst-case scenario - everything I’ve worked for, everything I’ve done for myself, for my family, could be gone. It still makes me emotional thinking about it now.

“I simply saw my mother on the floor in a vulnerable and scary position and I reacted. It all happened so fast in response to what was happening. Despite this, it never should have happened. I wrote a letter to him and his family to say how sorry I am and apologise from the bottom of my heart. I said I wish them nothing but the best in life.”

Chair later spoke to the judge and he eventually saw his conviction reduced to 150 hours of community service and a fine of €1,600 (£1,400) after his criminal conviction was changed to a misdemeanour.

He explained: “I spoke to the judge and I think the judge appreciated the human side of the whole case. Because at the end of the day, as a young man, being there with your family, seeing your mum on the floor, bruised up… it’s not an excuse to do what I did, but at the same time, it was such a natural and human reaction that I had to that circumstance.

“I said it through the whole process and I said it to the judge that day: I’m really sorry for what happened to that person. I just wish I could take it back. My sincere apologies to that whole family.”

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