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A YOB who stamped on, kicked and punched a man in a drunken alleyway attack has been spared jail.
Benjamin Sammons was part of a gang who ‘for no apparent reason’ launched a brutal assault on their victim.
The man lost a number of items in the attack and he later said there were up to 20 youths present before the violence.
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Sammons, 18, of Bretch Hill, Banbury, had admitted one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
He was sentenced for that crime at Oxford Crown Court today.
Outlining the case prosecutor Jonathan Stone said the violent episode took place on the night of March 21 this year.
The victim had been out for a few drinks in Bicester and was walking home when he went down an alleyway behind a Subway.
There he saw what he described as ’15 to 20 youths.’
Prosecutors showed to the court mobile phone footage which recorded the violence that unfolded soon after.
In that footage about four people could be seen attacking the victim as he lay helpless on the ground.
It was said that during the violence Sammons stamped on the victim as well as kicked and punched him.
The man’s bag and phone was also taken and the loss of items was valued at about £300, but the Crown Prosecution Service said it would not proceed on any alleged robbery offence.
A personal statement revealed that the victim had suffered anxiety following the attack.
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Sammons was arrested days after the attack, where he said he had been out drinking with friends.
He claimed that if he was present at the scene he was ‘probably trying to stop or defuse any violence.’
He later pleaded guilty to the single count of assault.
In mitigation Peter Du Feu, defending, said that his client was remorseful.
He said: “It’s an ugly incident and one which he is thoroughly ashamed of being involved in.”
It was also said that Sammons was young – aged 17 at the time of the offence – and that he had no other previous convictions to his name.
Sentencing, Recorder David Brock said that the attack had happened ‘for no apparent reason’ and Sammons was ‘lucky’ that the injuries were not more serious.
He was jailed for three months, suspended for 18 months.
As part of that sentence Sammons must also carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
He was also ordered to pay £800 compensation and a statutory victim surcharge.
