Thugs locked up over attack at YMCA base
A trio of 'immature' men who attacked their friend during an 'extremely nasty' assault have been jailed for a total of 15 years.
Patrick Lane, Daniel Rotchelle and Damon Stuart united in their plot to beat Keanu Hawker so they could get hold of cash he allegedly owed.
The criminals, who denied causing grievous bodily harm to their victim but were convicted after trial, each started five-year jail terms on Tuesday.
Sentencing, Recorder Geoffrey Pryce, said: "This was an extremely nasty offence, it's a serious offence.
"Once the victim had been punched to the ground, he was then kicked.
"But then when Mr Hawker was prone and unconscious on the floor, you gratuitously stamped on his head.
"There was no aggression being shown to you at that point. It was purely gratuitous."
The recorder went on to say Lane wanted to enforce a debt he thought was owed to him or someone else.
Lane, of Perry Avenue, Low Hill, then recruited friends Rotchelle and Stuart to join him, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.
The serious assault in Wolverhampton left Mr Hawker unable to trust people after his three friends turned on him last September.
In a statement read to the court, he said: "I find it upsetting and embarrassing. I have a large scar to my left eyebrow. It makes me sad that whenever I see it, it will remind me of them attacking me.
"This has made my family worried and scared."
Mr John Evans, defending Lane, said the 22-year-old wanted to apologise to his victim but bail conditions prevented him from contacting Mr Hawker.
The attack at YMCA's Cannock Road base was 'out of character' for the father, Mr Evans claimed.
Rotchelle, 23, of Low Hill Crescent, Low Hill, has stayed out of trouble since the assault and is now motivated by his family, defence barrister Mr Graeme Logan said.
Mr Colin McCarraher, defending Stuart, of Chadwick Close, Wolverhampton, added the 22-year-old has 'turned a corner' since his offending and now wishes he did not get involved.
