Blyth drunken youths kicked and punched dad unconscious in front of his terrified son
James Hickson, of Blyth, threw the first punch as the blameless victim was set upon as he dropped off a takeaway for his parents
by Rob Kennedy · ChronicleLiveA dad was punched and kicked unconscious in front of his terrified son after being surrounded by a gang of drunken youths.
The victim was dropping a pizza off at his elderly parents' home in Blyth when he was screamed at and pushed by a girl. The fracas attracted the attention of a large group of youths who had been in a field at the end of the street drinking.
Newcastle Crown Court the victim was surrounded and James Hickson threw a punch, sparking violence that saw the victim knocked out. Now Hickson, 17 at the time and 18 now, has been given a suspended sentence for assault.
It was around 7.45pm on March 25 last year that the victim was dropping off a takeaway for his parents on Columbia Terrace, Blyth, his son having driven him there.
Matthew Hopkins, prosecuting, said a female started arguing with the victim, telling him to move his car, adding that she "screamed abuse in his face and pushed him".
Young males, including Hickson, then approached the victim and Hickson delivered the first blow, described as a "gut punch", which sparked wider violence. Mr Hopkins said: "There then followed an attack on him by the defendant and at least one other male.
"During that, the victim was thrown onto his car bonnet. He ended up sliding onto the ground and he was kicked and punched multiple times.
"The victim's father witnessed this happening from the doorway and he saw two or three kicks to his head and body and he thought his son was going to be killed. The victim's son also saw kicks and punches were raining down and he thought his dad was going to die."
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The attack only came to an ended when the man's dad and some other youths in the street pulled the perpetrators away. The victim was left unconscious but came round after less than a minute.
He was taken to hospital and suffered a large graze to his forehead, a black eye, bruising and swelling to the back of his head and back and bruising to his arms. He was still unfit for work three days later.
Passing sentence, Judge Penny Moreland said: "The victim's son and father thought you had killed him and you could have killed him, I hope you understand that. These are the sorts of incidents that end up in manslaughter prosecutions."
Hickson, of Walton Avenue, Blyth, was sentenced to six months suspended for 18 months with rehabilitation.
Mairi Clancy, defending, said Hickson has no other convictions before or since the attack. She added: "The victim was entirely innocent and the defendant is ashamed of himself. He is not associating with the youths he was at the time and he has a new partner.
"He has moved on and grown up and reflected on what he did, which was nothing other than shameful."
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