Six years for thug sent fleeing by kickboxing champ and her pal
A career criminal has been jailed for six years after he tried to rob a kickboxing champion and her pal – and one of them launched a kick at his privates.
Thomas Fadian,44, targeted Jodie Turner,18, and Melissa Hunter, 20, after they had enjoyed a night out in Paisley on December 30 last year.
Yesterday, the High Court in Edinburgh heard how violent Fadian picked on the wrong women when he tried to attack and rob them in Netherhill Road.
The court heard that Jodie, who won a kickboxing championship at the age of 12, stood her ground as Melissa remembered advice that her mum gave her.
When Fadian threatened to stab the
women, Jodie shoved him and warned him to “f**k off”.
Meanwhile, Melissa aimed a kick at Fadian’s private parts because her mum said if she ever found herself in trouble that’s what she should do.
She failed to land a direct hit but she still connected with his inner thigh, causing him to flee the scene.
In court yesterday, Judge Lord Summers sentenced Fadian to six years for the assaults and failed attempted robberies.
Melissa slammed the thug and told us: “I think anybody who has been through what I have would think he didn’t get long enough. I have been stressed recently and this is one of the main reasons why.
“I’m actually shocked he got as long as he did.
“It’s down to all the other crimes he has committed.”
Lord Summers also ordered Fadian, who had been released early from a prison sentence, to serve three years of his previous jail term on top of six years.
“We have heard how one of the complainers in this case followed the advice given to her by her mother - that should she ever find herself in such a situation, she should respond by kicking her attacker in the privates.
“She did not connect with that body part and struck you in the thigh.
“You have an appalling record and a prison sentence is the only disposal available to me in this case,” Lord Summers said.
Fadian, a prisoner of HMP Addiewell in West Lothian, was convicted at the High Court in Glasgow following a trial last month.
Sentence had been deferred for the court to obtain reports.
Jurors convicted Fadian of attacking and attempting to rob Jodie. He was also convicted of assaulting Melissa by punching her and demanding that she hand over her purse to him.
He targeted the girls, having been freed early from a six-year jail term for an armed raid at a cafe in Hardgate, West Dunbartonshire, in 2013.
Jodie told how she had been out for her sister’s birthday last December with people including Melissa.
The two friends later decided to walk home after being at a nightclub.
They were in Netherhill Road when Fa d i a n approached them.
Jodie said Fadian kept following them before grabbing her arm and trying to snatch her purse. She said she fought back.
She added: “I pushed him away and told him to f**k off.”
Fadian then turned on Melissa, who also stood up to the thug.
She said: “I turned to kick this man - obviously in the privates area. I had been told by my mum that if anyone tries to get hold of you, kick him where it hurts.”
Fadian, formerly of Glenburn, in Paisley, fled from the scene but police later identified him and brought him to justice.