[A] FORMER national junior boxing champion has been locked up for his role in a violent attack on a student in Carlisle city centre.
Kyle Ronnie David Peebles punched 20-year-old Ashley Cooke forcefully to the ground as trouble flared at a taxi rank in Court Square, just before 4am on April 17.
While on the floor, and as his partner watched, Mr Cooke was then kicked to the head during a sustained incident which also involved a second attacker, 25-year-old Aidan Lee Steven.
Carlisle Crown Court heard Mr Cooke sustained “significant” injuries which included a fractured eye socket. He needed stitches to facial lacerations, while a cut to the back of his head was stapled.
Nineteen-year-old Peebles, of Merith Avenue, and Steven, of Blundell Road, both Carlisle, were sentenced at the crown court today (FRI). They each admitted causing Mr Cooke grievous bodily harm.
Peebles, described in court as a previous national junior boxing champion, was given two years’ detention. Recorder Julie Clemitson noted the “spontaneous eruption of violence” had had a “significant impact” upon Mr Cooke’s ordinary life.
However, the victim had gone on to complete a degree and secure full-time work.
Steven, a father-of-two, had a two-year prison term suspended for 18 months. He must complete 200 hours’ unpaid work and pay £500 compensation.
Sergeant Rob Ewin, of Carlisle CID, said: “Such acts of violence will not be tolerated in the city or elsewhere in the county.
“Where such incidents do occur, we will investigate and do everything in our power to bring the offender before the courts.”
