A youth worker lost the sight in one eye and was left permanently scarred after being terrorised by a gang of yobs during a night of violence in Flintshire.
Six youths were put into custody for their role in the incident on Halloween in Mold last year - with the judge describing them as a “feral gang” of young men, some of whom were disguised in Halloween masks
Victim Karen Hodgkinson was struck in the face by a full beer can hurled by one of the youths who congregated outside her and her parents home next door in Elm Drive.
She had to have a metal place inserted to repair a fractured eye socket and she lost the sight in the left eye following the violence.
She no longer felt safe at home or in work and was “haunted” by the faces of those who attacked her. Both she and her parents are now considering moving.
Congregating youths
On the afternoon of October 31 last year, Mrs Hodgkinson’s husband Ian had been made aware his home and family might be targeted that evening.
The market worker had been at Mold town centre and received a series of texts from his wife telling him youths were already starting to congregate at 3.30pm.
He also saw a group in the town centre, and one shouted at him the was ‘going to get it.’
He got his wife to pick him up and they returned home at 5.30pm where the youths were congregating.
At 8.30pm, a man in nearby Chester Street saw a group of youngsters carrying a quantity of alcohol and running in and out of traffic.
One was heard to say they were off to Toddy’s - Mr Hodgkinson’s nickname - to ‘smash his house up.’
That witness rang a neighbour of the victims to warn them before driving to Elm Drive himself.
Call for help
The police were alerted, all the doors and windows were locked and the couple went upstairs to watch the CCTV.
They saw the group of youths emerge into the street some wearing masks.
Prosecutor David Mainstone said the couple were very frightened and called the police again as one of the youths entered the garden and began kicking their front door.
They were shouting for Mr Hodgkinson to come out.
The couple had not intended to go out but they heard shouting and screaming outside and realised Mrs Hodgkinson’s father, who had initially scared the youths away by waving an air rifle and rolling pin, was being attacked in his garden by a group who had surrounded him.
Mrs Hodgkinson went out to and pulled some of the youths away from him.
Injuries
Fearing for his wife’s safety Mr Hodgkinson went out and saw a youth throw a pumpkin which hit the side of her head, leaving her dazed.
He shouted at the youths to leave his family alone.
It was then a 17-year-old threw a beer can ‘full force’ at Mr Hodgkinson. It missed him but struck his wife in the face. She screamed and fell to the floor.
As the violence continued the witness who had followed the youths was able to grab a couple of the youngsters and drag them in front of the CCTV cameras.
The group fled as police arrived.
Mrs Hodgkinson was later found to have a fracture in her left eye socket. The eye’s lens was dislocated and ruptured and she lost the sight in that eye.
Sentenced
A total of seven youths admitted violent disorder and one of them, aged 17 who hurled the beer can “with full force” admitted a wounding charge. He was sentenced to 12 months detention.
Andrew Green, defending, said he had clearly not intended such an injury. He was genuinely remorseful and if he could change things he would.
Christian Gentile, 18, of Parc Alun in Mold, received 10 months detention. Defending him, Philip Clemo, said while he had entered the garden he had not thrown any missiles or punches. It was his presence which landed him in the dock.
Samuel Dodd, 18, of Milford Street in Mold, received 10 months detention. Mr Clemo said his client was now working as a bricklayer. While he had admitted the offence on the basis of a joint enterprise there was no evidence he had thrown missiles or punches.
Sam Rogers, 19, of Chester Road, Mold, received 12 months detention. Simon Killeen, defending, said he was a full-time builder, a family man who had acted out of character.
There was no suggestion he had thrown any cans or any punches that landed.
A 16-year-old received six months detention; a 17-year-old received eight months detention and a boy aged 13 received an intensive youth rehabilitation order.
The judge also made a five year restraining order not to approach the victims or enter Elm Drive.
see-http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/feral-gang-locked-up-halloween-11468358
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