TWO YOUNG men who carried out a vicious attack in Rugby town centre have escaped being jailed despite kicking and stamping on their victim’s head.
Jordan Bradley and Josh Slater were told by a judge at Warwick Crown Court that they could consider themselves extremely fortunate – but that they will not get a second chance.
Bradley, 19, of Railway Terrace, Rugby, and Slater, 18, of Gilscroft Road, Stechford, Birmingham, had both pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm.
Bradley was given a 16-month sentence and Slater a 12-month sentence, both suspended for two years, and they were made subject to 8pm-6am curfews for three months and ordered to take part in rehabilitation activities.
Prosecutor Alex Warren said that in July the victim and a friend, on a night out in Rugby town centre, saw an incident in the street between a young woman who was with the defendants and another young woman at around 2.40am.
As they walked past, words were exchanged between the young lady from the defendants’ group and the victim, who continued walking with his friend.
But Bradley and Slater chased after them, with a CCTV recording played in court showing Slater launching an attack on the victim and Bradley joining in.
As the attack continues he is knocked to the ground where they both kick him repeatedly to the head and body, and Slater stamps on his head.
“He’s rendered unconscious by a kick from Slater, after which Bradley kicks him to the head, and Slater does kick him after he appears to be unconscious,” said Mr Warren.
After the attack, both defendants made off, but the police were quickly on the scene, having been called by the victim’s friend.
Slater was arrested nearby after a struggle, and Bradley was tracked with the help of the CCTV operator and arrested.
Mr Warren added that Bradley had a previous conviction for wounding after stabbing someone with a pair of scissors, and Slater had convictions for assault and robbery.
Sarah Holland, for Bradley, who was living in Birmingham at the time, said: “He would like to apologise. He says it plays on his mind every day. He does not shy away from his appalling actions that night. He’s thoroughly ashamed of his actions.
“He says he has a problem with his anger and would like to be able to deal with it. This offence aside, he seems to be moving in the right direction.”
David Everett, for Slater, said he had mental health issues for which he had been prescribed medication, but had stopped taking it because he did not like the side-effects.
“Since this, he has started taking it again. He says it has made a difference, despite the side-effects.”
Mr Everett said the prospect of a job has been set up for Slater if he retained his liberty.
Sentencing the two, Judge Sylvia de Bertodano told them: “It is very fortunate for you, as well as for (the victim), that he did not suffer more serious injuries.
“This was a sustained assault, and when you kick someone on the ground, that’s the equivalent of using a weapon.
“It clearly crosses the custody threshold, but I bear in mind that you are both still young.
“You can both consider yourselves extremely fortunate because I am not going to send you to prison immediately. But there are no second chances. I reserve any breaches to myself, and if you come back before me, it will be prison.”
