Traffic warden attacks homeless man in car park
A traffic warden twice attacked a homeless man in a car park - before his colleague stepped in and allowed his victim to escape.
Benjamin Broadhurst was on duty when he carried out the unprovoked attack in Halesowen, Walsall Magistrates' Court heard.
The 53-year-old Dudley Council enforcement officer targeted his victim as he slept in the stairwell of Pool Road car park.
He punched him in the body and face while he was in his sleeping bag.
The assault was only stopped due to the intervention of the Broadhurst's colleague.
But the attack continued when the victim's escape route was blocked by a steel gate at the bottom of the the stairwell.
The victim was confronted by Broadhurst, who punched him several times in the face, as he came back up the stairs.
Broadhurst's colleague again stopped the attack, allowing the victim's final escape.
Following the incident on January 15, Broadhurst, of Highfield Lane, Halesowen, was arrested and later pleaded guilty to battery on the day of his trial at Walsall Magistrates' Court.
He was given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.
He was ordered to pay £100 compensation and £500 court costs as well as carry out 100 hours unpaid work.
Helen Whitehead, Senior Crown Prosecutor with West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service, said: "This was an unprovoked, violent attack on a defenceless and vulnerable man who was sleeping rough at the time of the assault.
"Benjamin Broadhurst initially claimed he acted to defend himself from the victim - however, there was no evidence to support this.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the witness who stepped in to stop the attack which enabled the victim to make his escape."
Matt Williams, chief officer for environmental services, said: “A member of staff is currently the subject of an ongoing internal investigation following the conclusion of criminal proceedings.
"He is currently not in work.”
