Two males who kicked and punched a man during a sustained attack in a north Cumbrian town have been spared immediate prison.
Carlisle Crown Court heard the man was on his way to a shop in Brampton when he met Harvey Oliver — now 19 but then aged just 17 — on July 17 last year. Paul Oley, aged 41, then came “flying” around a corner and struck the man in his face.
Both Oliver and Oley then kicked and punched the man, who desperately tried to defend himself and feared losing consciousness as blood ran from an eye injury. One of the males said in relation to a recently deceased family member: “Now your cousin is dead we will deal with you.”
His shouts alerted passers-by and the pair ran off. But after the man went to his mum’s house, he came out and was attacked again with kicks and stamps after being chased and tripped.
He suffered a cut and blackened eye, and injuries across his body. In a statement, he spoke of being fearful to leave his home, and of the impact on him and his young son.
His two attackers admitted affray and were sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court today after Judge Nicholas Barker heard mitigation on their behalf.
Former soldier Oley, of High Mill, Alston, and Oliver, of Townfoot Park, Brampton, had custodial sentences of 10 months and eight months, respectively, suspended for two years. Both must complete rehabilitation requirements, while Oliver must do 160 hours’ unpaid work and Oley received a four-month nighttime curfew.
Judge Nicholas Barker told the pair: “This was an appalling act of violence in a public place; targeted on an individual and sustained.”
