Young thugs behaved like ‘a pack of animals’ during attack in street

A TRIO of young thugs “behaved like a pack of animals” when they attacked a man in the street outside a nightclub in a Derbyshire town.

Derby Crown Court heard how Thomas Brownlowe first punched the 25-year-old victim two or three times in the face.

His friend Mitchell Smith then rained blows as the man lay on the floor and fell unconscious. In mitigation for this act, his barrister said Smith was bullied at school.

Then, a third man, Ethan Lewis, kicked the victim in the head as he lay on the ground.

In a victim impact statement, the man they assaulted said he feels reluctant to leave his house alone and that since the attack he is “not the person I used to be”.

Handing each of the defendants suspended sentences, Judge Robert Egbuna said: “You behaved like a pack of animals, this was loutish behaviour and all three of you played your part and all of you were inebriated.

“Mr Brownlowe you punched him on two or three occasions and Mr Smith one witness described you delivering six or seven hammer blows while he was prone on the floor, and, Mr Lewis, you kicked him to the head.

“People that do this can sometimes find themselves for manslaughter or murder.”

Kevin Webster, prosecuting, said the assault happened outside the Association Nightclub in Church Street, Ripley.

He said the victim has been out socialising with friends and found himself out in the street at around 1.15am on October 5, 2019.

Mr Webster said the man was caught on CCTV talking to Lewis and then “lunged towards him”.

He said: “After Mr Brownlowe delivered the first punches Mr Smith rained multiple blows on his head some after he became unconscious and certainly helpless.

“Mr Lewis delivered a blow to the victim’s face with a shod foot and it is not entirely sure if it is a stamp or a kick.”

Mr Webster said the victim was taken to hospital to be treated to injuries to his head and face.

In a victim impact statement he said he no longer socialises with friends as he is scared if he goes out he will bump in to the trio of thugs.

Lewis was arrested that morning but the other two men were not arrested until Derbyshire police circulated images online and their names were put forward, Mr Webster said.

Brownlowe, 19, and of Park Street, Heanor, pleaded guilty to common assault and to a separate matter of possession with intent to supply cannabis when he was caught with a bag of the drug in Ripley.

He was handed a 15-month term, suspended for two years, and was ordered to pay £200 compensation.

Gareth Gimson, mitigating, said his client was a warehouse worker who has not been in employment since the Covid pandemic hit.

Lewis, 21, of Connaught Court, Alfreton, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He was handed a two-year jail term, suspended for two years, and was ordered to pay £500 compensation.

Benn Robinson, his barrister, told the court his client is well aware the victim’s injuries could have been more serious.

And Smith, 21, of Newland Road, Riddings, also pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He was jailed for 18 months, suspended for two years, and was ordered to pay £500 compensation.

Digby Jones, in mitigation, said his client works for his father and was bullied at school.

BOLSOVER District Council has been awarded £269,000 to help create a number of community woods across the area.

The money comes from the Woodland Trust’s Emergency Tree Fund, which aims to be used in the fight against climate change.

It is hoped 27,000 trees will be planted on the back of the funding.

The district council’s cabinet member for carbon reduction, councillor Nick Clarke welcomed the investment. He said: “We are delighted with the grant funding we have received and together with our communities we can make wonderful things happen.

“We will use the money to create a community woodland on the former Creswell colliery site that people can enjoy, a tree-lined avenue in Bolsover, as well as several other tree growing projects in the District.

“Trees are one of the most powerful weapons we have in our fight against climate change, but growing trees - the right trees - must be done in a sustainable way and be seen as a long-term investment, that’s why we are working with the Woodland Trust and Bolsover Woodland Enterprise to get the full benefits from the scheme.

“We see this as just the start in Bolsover District as we have other ideas we want to bring to fruition so we can create legacies and places of tranquillity that future generations can enjoy, all whilst protecting the planet.”

The Woodland Trust has a pot of £2.9 million to distribute between 10 authorities set to benefit.

John Tucker, Woodland Trust’s director of woodland outreach, said: “The Trust’s Emergency Tree Fund has the power to inspire tree planting and woodland creation and galvanise the need to treasure trees and green spaces in neighbourhoods across the UK.

“What the country’s fight against Covid has shown is how communities have come together in a time of crisis.

“As the pandemic hopefully abates, getting outside and planting, maintaining and enjoying trees will be a way for this spirit to be harnessed once again in a different but a very important way - to tackle the climate and nature crises which also affects us all.”

The charity plans to plant 50 million trees by 2025.