Sentence under fire Man, 23, admits attacks on strangers
THE decision not to jail a man who attacked four strangers without provocation is disgusting, says one of his victims.
Marley Burt, 23, headbutted a boy whose younger sister he wanted to impress last New Year’s Eve.
Later the same night, he sprinted up and karate kicked a man’s head from behind, in Gloucestershire Royal Hospital’s A&E waiting room.
Burt, of Apsley Road, also attacked two workers in a convenience shop last month.
After admitting four assaults and a theft, the defendant avoided jail on August 7 at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court .
He was handed a 16-week prison term suspended for a year.
Burt was also ordered to pay £403.49 in compensation to his victims and told to comply with the probation service on getting support for his substance issues.
One of his victims, Chris Epps, has called the sentence a waste of time.
Mr Epps, 57, owns The Beeches shop in Upper Churnside, Cirencester, from which Burt stole a £3.49 bottle of cider on July 19.
When he returned to the shop on July 24, sales assistant Danny Barker-close asked him to pay for the drink.
In response, Burt elbowed him in the eye and threw several punches.
Mr Epps said: “Danny grabbed his waist and they had a right old scuffle around the shop.
“There was stock and shelving all over the place, smashed jars of pasta sauce.
“I heard the commotion and ran out, then we pinned the man down. A customer helped.”
While they waited ten minutes for police to arrive, Burt tried to escape, Mr Epps said.
“He was screaming at the top of his voice and shouting ‘help.’”
The shop owner claims Burt said: “You can’t touch me, I have mental health issues.”
Mr Epps continued: “Police asked me to release him so they could cuff him. He leaned forward and headbutted me in the eye.
“I was in a bit of a mess. It was very bloody.”
Mr Epps was left with a scar just above his left eye, about a centimetre long and likely to be permanent.
He said: “Danny’s eye was awful too, really black and red.”
Mr Barker-close sustained bruises to the face and cuts to his arm.
Mr Epps said: “I am not intimidated by anyone, but this does shake you up. He should not be allowed to go out on the streets readily.
“I am disgusted with the sentence. He should have been put away. I have no belief in the British justice system at all.”
He was unhappy that Burt was deemed by the court to be unsuitable for a curfew because “there is a concern over potential for violent outbursts in the home”.
Mr Epps, who has run Beeches for 13 years, said: “He can’t be kept in the home but he can go out on the streets where he has hurt members of the public for no reason?”
Mr Barker-close’s statement to the court read: “I am worried I am going to see him again. I don’t know what he is capable of.”
Handing down the sentence on August 7, chairman of the magistrates Gwyneth Lloyd said: “These were unprovoked assaults, including an attack on a minor.
“The reason we are suspending this is so you can engage with probation.
“These were nasty attacks and we feel your victims deserve compensation.”
The Ministry of Justice declined to comment on Mr Epps’ criticism. conor.gogarty@reachplc.com
He should have been put away. I have no belief in the British justice system at all