A man spared jail for a violent town centre attack has avoided immediate prison again after committing more offences.
Last July, Callum Russell was punished by a judge for kicking and stamping on a dad during a group attack in Penrith.
Carlisle Crown Court heard how another young man played a more prominent role in the vicious assault of a man who was also punched and had his head bashed against a skip after trouble flared outside a Burrowgate pub on October 12023.
Russell, now 23, had joined in the violence enthusiastically, the court was told, leaving the victim needing hospital treatment for multiple injuries to his face, head and upper body.
After Russell admitted causing grievous bodily harm, he had an 18-month jail term suspended by Judge Michael Fanning, who concluded there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.
Russell was warned if he committed any further offences during a suspension period of two years, he risked losing his liberty.
But he was back in trouble on December 6 as police attended his home in Hackthorpe, near Penrith, and executed a Misuse of Drugs Act warrant.
Russell volunteered the presence of a small amount of personal use cannabis, on his bedside table,” said a prosecutor as Russell was returned to the crown court. In the course of a search, police found — hidden inside a punch bag — a knuckleduster.
Russell was prosecuted, and admitted possessing a class B drug and an offensive weapon. During a sentencing hearing today, defence lawyer Andrew Gurney said the defendant had, since a magistrates’ court appearance on December 7, been remanded in custody over Christmas and new year.
“At a time when people spent time with loved ones and family, he was in prison,” said Andrew Gurney, mitigating. “This has been a salutary lesson for him.”
The knuckleduster had been bought many years before, was secreted inside the punch bag and forgotten about.
Mr Gurney said Russell had been an habitual user of cannabis since the age of 13. “This is something the probation service were attempting to address in meetings with him,” he told the court. “He was complying with the (previously imposed court) order. It does appear he was making good progress.”
Russell, of Woodland Close, Hackthorpe, was sentenced by Judge Michael Fanning, who had imposed the suspended sentence last July.
“It has to be acknowledged that the (new) offending is at a significantly lower level than the offence which attracted the suspended sentence,” the judge concluded.
Russell was made subject to a community order for the two new offences and must complete a 10-week night time curfew. He was fined £50 for breaching the suspended sentence.
Judge Fanning told Russell he would be released from custody later that day. “I would rather you left there now before you get used to the custodial environment,” said the judge, who warned: “If you continue to offend, you are going to run out of lives. You will end up locked up.”
Russell replied: “I am sorting my life out. I promise.”
