A GROUP of thugs who carried out a sickening attack on a man in Coventry have been sentenced.
Akash Kumar, Macauley Smith, Riley Kavanagh, Thomas Jackson, Lewis Friel, Liam Askew and Connor Moore were all part of a senseless attack in the city in March 2019.
In the early hours of that day, the victim and his friend were walking home from a night out when the group approached them and began making comments about him.
When he responded he was pushed by Jackson to the ground.
Now surrounded by the group, he was punched, kicked and stamped on.
At this point, his friend tried to stand in the way to protect him but was pushed to the floor by Kavanagh, who himself joined in the attack.
The man was left unconscious with life-changing injuries of a broken nose, broken cheekbone, bruising, nerve damage and blurred vision.
The group fled the scene following the attack, but a social media CCTV appeal was issued identifying Smith and Friel along with Askew and Kavanagh.
Moore and Jackson contacted police themselves having seen their faces in the appeal. Kumar was arrested several months later.
The sentences handed out
Liam Askew was jailed for 28 months for violent disorder and section 20 assault while Lewis Friel was sent to prison for five years in prison for wounding and two years (concurrent) for violent disorder.
Thomas Jackson was jailed for five years and eight months for wounding, plus 27 months for violent disorder. The sentences were concurrent so he will serve five years, eight months for wounding.
Riley Kavanagh was sentenced for four years in prison, which will run consecutively with an existing nine-year term for wounding.
Connor Moore was handed five years in prison for wounding plus two years (concurrent) for violent disorder and Macauley Smith was imprisoned for two years and two months in prison for violent disorder, plus 20 months (concurrent) for grievous bodily harm.
Akaash Kumar will be sentenced on Friday, July 21, at Warwick Crown Court.
‘Horrific and violent attack’ – Police
Investigating officer PC Sunny Sahota said: “This was a horrific and violent attack in which the victim was set upon by the group like a pack of wild animals, leaving him unconscious.
“The victim has had to endure this for four years but now has finally got justice.
“We hope he finally has closure and can move forward with his life.”
