A MAN who took part in ‘a sustained, horrific attack’ in Nuneaton town centre while on a suspended sentence is behind bars.
Unemployed Owen Thomas Forsyth was told by presiding magistrate Stuart Lees that immediate custody was the only option.
Twenty-nine-year-old Forsyth, of Tryan Road, Stockingford, appeared before Nuneaton Magistrates and admitted assaulting an unknown male by beating him; using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause people to fear violence; and resisting Police Sergeant Steve Newman, all on September 26 last year.
Prosecutor Naila Iqbal said Forsyth and co-accused John RobertMiles,who also admitted the same three offences, had been drinking at the Felix Holt pub in Stratford Street, Nuneaton, when they began assaulting two men.
The attack took place just after 7.20pm when Forsyth was seen to punch the first victim once in the face.
“The victim loses consciousness and falls backwards on the ground and Mr Forsyth punches him with force to the head using a clenched right fist,” said Naila Iqbal.
Miles punched the man several times to his face and body, before he managed to run off. But Miles chased after him and punched him while in a shop doorway. The other victim was kicked in the head several times.
Both assailants ran off but were arrested. They were put in a police vehicle but Forsyth opened a door and escaped.
Miss Iqbal said neither victim wanted to complain against their attackers.The first victim sustained `significant’ grazing to his back, facial cuts and elbow injuries. Both defendants told police they `couldn’t remember much’ about the incident.
Forsyth said he had drunk seven pints of cider between 1pm-7pm and he couldn’t recall being in a fight or injuring anybody.
After watching a CCTV recording of the incident, Forsyth said he ‘felt disgusted with himself and couldn’t believe what he had done’.
“He said the attack had been unprovoked and he said he would get help with his alcohol problem,” said the prosecutor.
Miles told police he had consumed eight or nine pints of cider and didn’t know the two men that were assaulted. He said he too couldn’t believe what he had done and resolved to get help with his drink problem.
Forsyth had 26 convictions for 75 offences, including each of public order and assault, and was given a ten-week suspended sentence last July for offences of assault and harassment, putting a person in fear of violence.
Miles had 14 convictions for 38 offences, including public disorder, assault and having a bladed article in a public place.
Solicitor Simon Marlow-Ridley, mitigating for Forsyth, said his client was `deeply ashamed’ of his actions.
Mr Marlow-Ridley said Forsyth `does not seem to be the worst’ of the two parties involved in the incident. “It does not seem to be him who is doing the kicking,” he said.
Mitigating for Miles, solicitor MuslaAhmed said Miles had travelled from Birmingham and `went out for a few drinks’. He conceded, however, that he was `very drunk’.
“If Mr Miles was sober it is unlikely this would have happened. He has shown significant remorse and has begun steps to tackle his alcohol issues.”
Sentencing Forsyth to 24 weeks imprisonment, Mr Lees said it was a `sustained, horrific attack’ and custody was the only suitable sentence. It included eight weeks’ of the suspended sentence.
Forsyth’s community order was revoked.
The case against 26-year-oldMiles,who lives in Birmingham,was adjourned until February 16 for the preparation of a pre-sentence probation report. He is subject to a community order.
