Rhyl,North Wales - Man injured after he was subjected to an unprovoked attack on Rhyl street

Published date: 07 January 2016 | 

Published by: Staff reporter
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A middle aged man was injured when he was subjected to an unprovoked attack as he made his way home along a Rhyl street.

The victim, who had been out drinking with friends, was struck with a piece of wood to the back of the head and kicked.

He was also swung against a wall.

At Mold Crown Court defendants Gary Dewhurst and Adam Binnie admitted a charge of unlawful wounding following the incident in June.

Dewhurst, aged 27 of Y Gorlan, Rhyl, who had no previous convictions for violence, received a 12 month prison sentence suspended for 28 months, with 200 hours unpaid work and 40 days rehabilitation.

Binnie, aged 22, of St Mary’s Drive, Rhyl, was jailed for 15 months.

The judge, Mr Recorder Nigel Thomas, said it was an extraordinary thing for them to have done – to have set upon an entirely blameless man.

“Why two men should set upon a completely blameless middle aged man and give him the hiding that they did, is beyond belief,” he said.

Dewhurst had a family and a job and who had no previous convictions for violence.

Binnie had convictions for violence and he had used a piece of wood as a weapon.

Binnie had been “extremely aggressive” and his case had to be met by an immediate custodial sentence.

Prosecuting barrister Frances Willmott said that victim Paul Jones, aged 54, had been out with friends and he and two others were making their way home on June 30 at 11.30pm when they saw the defendants and said hello to them.

Dewhurst’s response was “what are you looking at?”, Mr Jones said that he was not staring or anything like that, and they continued on their way.

Binnie picked up a piece of wood and struck him to the back of the head, causing him to go to the ground.

Dawhurst then punched Mr Jones four or five times and Mr Jones was also swung against a wall, hitting his head.

At that stage, Binnie said he had enough and helped Mr Jones to his feet and shook him by the hand.

Paramedics found Mr Jones bleeding, drunk and distressed and he was taken to hospital.

A piece of wood with blood marks was found at the scene.

Shoes worn by both defendants were linked to Mr Jones from blood splatters found on them.

In a victim impact statement Mr Jones said he could not understand why he had been attacked and was now anxious when he went out.

He felt lucky that it had not been worse, wanted to forget about the incident and get on with his life without any repercussions.

The victim had wounds to his face and arms.

Simon Killeen, defending, said both defendants had admitted what they had done at an early stage, at the magistrates’ court, and deserved credit in sentence.

see-http://www.rhyljournal.co.uk/news/157033/man-injured-after-he-was-subjected-to-an-unprovoked-attack-on-rhyl-street.aspx