Justice for Rocco as thugs jailed
HIS LIFE SPIRALLED AFTER BEATING, BUT HE BECAME AN INSPIRATION
A MAN whose life was changed forever by a savage beating has seen the thugs who did it sent to jail.
Rocco Hawkins’ life went into a downward spiral after the unprovoked attack by Rhys Farley and Daniel Rutledge in Derby city centre.
He hit such a low point that he tried to jump from a bridge – but then started to help others by leaving messages of hope. And he was honoured for his efforts with a rainbow lights display on Derby’s newest bridge over the A52.
A MENTAL health campaigner honoured for his inspirational messages has finally seen the savage thugs who brutally beat him jailed.
Rocco Hawkins’ life was put into a downward spiral after the unprovoked attack in Derby city centre.
He was knocked unconscious by Rhys Farley, then Daniel Rutledge stamped on his head as he lay helpless on the floor.
The sickening incident was captured on CCTV.
Plasterer Mr Hawkins suffered such terrible injuries that his life fell apart and at one stage he tried to take his own life, before he was rescued by a police officer.
As he pieced his life back together he began gaining solace by leaving inspirational messages for others who might be in dark times. After his campaign was reported by the Derby Telegraph, he received thanks from around the world.
But now 37-year-old Mr Hawkins has for the first time been able to reveal what caused him to almost end his life in such tragic circumstances.
His harrowing story follows the recent prison sentences for Farley and Rutledge, who assaulted him in such violent fashion in February 2019.
Mr Hawkins told the Derby Telegraph that Farley, 31, punched him three times, knocking him unconscious, before Rutledge, 40, stamped on his head with so much force that it almost killed him.
The disturbing events happened in February 2019 when Mr Hawkins was out with a friend at The Crescent Pub at the junction of Campion Street and Wild Street near Derby city centre.
While in the pub two men – Farley and Rutledge, who were unknown to Mr Hawkins at the time – became friendly with him and his friend and they were all playing pool together.
However, the pair’s mood dramatically changed and, while Mr Hawkins was waiting for a taxi to go home, the pair assaulted him after he tried to run away.
To this day, he still does not know why they attacked him.
The result was devastating. Mr Hawkins spent several weeks in hospital with a bleed to the brain, a fractured skull and a fractured neck.
Doctors said he was lucky to survive the unprovoked attack.
The trauma led to Mr Hawkins suffering depression as he was physically unable to do his job as a plasterer.
His injuries were so serious that at times he was unable to move at home and due to this became housebound.
He turned to alcohol, fearing his life would never be the same.
The road to recovery was a long one – so much so that the events pushed Mr Hawkins to despair and he almost died when attempting to jump from a bridge in Spondon, only for police to talk him down from the railings.
Mr Hawkins said he only saw the CCTV of his attack for the first time in court. Due to the shocking nature of the attack and the fact he became unconscious he could not remember the incident.
He said: “I had been to see a friend in Mickleover and we got a taxi to The Crescent pub on Campion Street and was in there for the rest of the night.
“It was a good night and we were getting a taxi back home and then these two people wanted to pick a
fight (with) me for no reason. I tried to run away but they caught me.
“I was dragged down to the ground by Farley and punched very hard to the head and face three times’ I was then unconscious.
“Then, within seconds, I was stamped on my head with force by Rutledge.
“This has had a serious impact on me for the last two years since the assault, both physically and mentally.
“Before that I was plastering for 17 years and was self-employed, getting lots of work. I had a son and just started to enjoy single life again after getting over a long-term relationship. But that moment changed everything.
“I feel lucky to be alive. I’m told one more stamp and that could have been the end. They could have faced a murder charge for no reason whatsoever.”
Mr Hawkins said the incident meant he could not face going out or meeting people – he became increasingly confined to his house.
Just weeks later he was forced to move to a different home after receiving death threats through his letterbox. It is unknown who the threats came from.
This made his problems even worse.
Mr Hawkins added: “I started to drink heavily and it was a very dark time. I wasn’t eating or showering – I was just very low.
“My mind was completely taken over, to the point I was ready to take my own life, and that is scary. I was on auto-pilot.
Rutledge, of Trowels Lane, Derby, pleaded not guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent. He was found guilty and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.
Farley, of Mackenzie Street, Derby, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent. He was sentenced to 21 months’ imprisonment.
Mr Hawkins’ Bridges of Hope campaign has seen him post messages on bridges in Derby and Derbyshire to prevent vulnerable people from jumping and ending their life.
The achievements of Mr Hawkins, from Spondon, were celebrated by Derby City Council earlier this year when the city’s new A52 bridge was lit in rainbow colours in honour of his life-saving campaign.
He said of the court case: “Justice has been served and it has given me the closure I need. I’ve had to wait and wait for the trial to start.
“I’m just happy they’re in prison and not on the streets. The past two years has been nothing but heartbreak.
“It’s all over now and I want to get on with my life. My Bridges of Hope campaign has given me a real focus and it is great to see the response it has had.”
Recalling the moment when the A52 bridge was lit in his honour, Mr Hawkins said: “It was an amazing feeling to see it. I just didn’t know what to do. I was speechless.”
■ Need help? Samaritans, on 116 123, offers a 24-hour confidential helpline. You can also contact them via www.samaritans.org or by emailing jo@samaritans.org.
My mind was completely taken over, to the point I was ready to take my own life, and that is scary. Rocco Hawkins