Vulnerable victim left ‘haunted’ by sickening attack
THREE men who took part in a brutal, humiliating and degrading attack on a vulnerable victim have been sent to prison.
Dean Barber, Michael Hames and Paul Bellfield all took part in an assault in Derby, where they punched and kicked their victim so much he was sick three times, Derby Crown Court heard.
The victim said the attack would “haunt him for the rest of his life” and still suffers pain because of injuries he received.
Sentencing the men, all from Derby, Judge Jonathan Bennett said: “It was an awful assault including an element of degradation and humiliation.
“He was being hit and kicked. He had to take his pants down, expose himself. It was a humiliating experience for him.”
THREE men have been jailed for their part in a sadistic attack on a vulnerable man.
Dean Barber, Michael Hames and Paul Bellfield all played their part in an assault in Derby, where they punched and kicked their victim so much he was sick three times.
Derby Crown Court heard how one of the men then told the man to pull down his trousers and pants, fully exposing his genitals, before making him walk around the front room.
During the hearing, the victim read out a victim personal statement saying how he felt it would affect him for the rest of his life. His mother also read out a statement saying how he had been traumatised.
The court heard the incident took place on November 1, 2018, in the early hours of the morning in Rose Hill, Derby.
Dawn Pritchard, prosecuting, said: “A neighbour in a neighbouring flat could hear shouting and a male screaming and crying, saying ‘stop please.’ She heard someone say ‘you’re getting blood on my shoes’ and ‘pull your ******* trousers down.’ She could heard crying and she could hear laughter. The neighbour called the police.
“Police attended. The victim had facial injuries. An ambulance was called. The victim was spoken to and made allegations against the three defendants.”
The court heard the victim had stolen a phone from Barber, 37, had given it back but had deleted some pictures on it. The victim went to a Derby address where Barber began to punch and kick him “between 20 and 25 times”.
The court heard both Hames and Bellfield then arrived at the address and both joined in the assault. Ms Pritchard said Hames hit him across the knee with an extendable baton. Hames also punched him several times and Bellfield punched him in the face.
Ms Pritchard said at one point Hames told Barber to “do some more”, to which Barber replied “I’ve done my bit”.
During the assault, the victim vomited three times.
She said: “It was Hames who told the victim to pull his trousers and boxers down. This exposed his genitalia. The victim walked around the front room with just a T-shirt ... he felt embarrassed.
“Hames then got a cigarette and put it out on his hand and side of his face. It is clear it came to an end when police arrived.”
The court heard the victim was taken to Royal Derby Hospital. He had suffered bruising in different areas of his body.
Ms Pritchard told the court Barber (37) had 28 convictions for 61 offences, Haynes (27) had two court appearances on his record and Bellfield (25) had one matter on his record.
Stephen Cobley, mitigating for Barber, told the court the victim had stolen Barber’s mobile and had deleted some images of his daughter. He said: “He bitterly regrets what he did. Control of your emotions is beneficial to making objective informed decisions. When you lose control of our emotions (it is when we) do things we may later regret.
“Barber had offered the victim somewhere to stay. When the victim stole his phone, that telephone had on it pictures Barber had of his daughter. The pictures were precious to him. He lost the ability to think and behave, though that doesn’t come close to excuse his behaviour.”
Chris Hallas, mitigating for Bellfield, told the court he was a different man to when the offence took place.
He said: “He feels ashamed of himself and his actions make him feel sick. He can’t believe he took part in something so degrading. He has stopped associating with peers, he no longer takes drugs or consumes alcohol. He is in a settled relationship, they subsequently became engaged and started to live together on September 2020. They will be married in 2022.
“You have before you a 25-year-old man, a different animal that committed this offence when he was aged 23.”
David Webster, mitigating for Hames, told the court he should get credit for his guilty plea.
He said: “This was a despicable episode to which this defendant is ashamed and remorseful. I ask you to note this offence is over two years old. (There is) genuine remorse.
“There is a letter from his mother. He is a real asset to her. His father is unwell. He should get full credit for his guilty plea. There is rehabilitation if allowed to retain his liberty.”
Barber, of Addison Road, Allenton, Hames, of Ashe Place, Derby and Bellfield, of Ashby Street, Derby, all admitted causing actual bodily harm. Barber was jailed for 22 months, Hames for 15 months and Bellfield was also jailed for 15 months.
Judge Johnathan Bennett said: “It was an awful assault including an element of degradation and humiliation. He was being hit and kicked. He had to take his pants down, expose himself. It was a humiliating experience for him.
“He had bruising and burn marks just to add to the sadistic nature of this offence.”