South Yorkshire thugs face sentencing after they chased a man during a vicious attack near a park

Sheffield Crown Court heard on March 11 how Connor Wilding, aged 24, of Springvale Grove, Penistone, Barnsley, and two youths, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were involved in the attack which left the victim with a fractured jaw.

Simon Reevell, prosecuting, said the victim walked along the Penistone Trail to a field and a skate park and he heard Wilding shout his name and the defendant punched the complainant to the face causing him to fall into bushes.

The complainant fled and was pursued by Wilding, according to Mr Reevell, and the two youths, who cannot be named for legal reasons, joined him and also pursued the victim.

Mr Reevell said: “He fell in a field and was set upon principally by Wilding. He described receiving seven super-hammer fast punches and two good boots.”

Wilding pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding, and one of the youths pleaded guilty to affray and the other youth pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour after the incident on May 14, 2019.

Mr Reevell said the complainant was left beaten, bloody and bruised with his jaw broken in two places.

The complainant stated he had been at catering college but due to the time needed for recovery he lost his job and he fell behind with his studies.

He added he needed a metal plate and pins in his broken jaw and he has to avoid certain sports and foods and he has been left with nightmares.

Richard Thyne, defending, said Wilding is ashamed of his dreadful behaviour but he had taken a cocktail of substances.

He added Wilding is hard-working and many see the good in him.

Rebecca Stevens, representing the youth who admitted affray, said he may be suitable for a referral order sentence because he has appeared in court as a 17-year-old youth although he will be 18 years-old during this month.

Francis Edusei, defending, who represents the 17-year-old youth who admitted threatening behaviour, also indicated a referral order may be suitable for this youngster.

Judge Jeremy Richardson QC said neither of the youths would be going into custody but he needed to establish how they should be sentenced due to their young ages.

However, Judge Richardson told Wilding: “You have broken a young man’s jaw. There have been devastating consequences for him as have been explained.

"It was a disgraceful episode and you now appreciate that.”

He added Wilding deserves a two-year custodial sentence but he needed time to reflect on whether he should send him to prison or not.

Judge Richardson adjourned the cases of all three defendants until March 15. The youths were released on bail but Judge Richardson remanded Wilding into custody.

He told Wilding: “The next four days will be very unpleasant for you and in many respects so they should be. I will decide on Monday what’s the right course of action.”

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