Funfair worker beat man unconscious in drunken Leicester market brawl

A funfair worker beat a man unconscious at Leicester Market.

Steven Warrior was caught on CCTV attacking his victim, who he had been drinking with among a group of friends.

The attack happened on Monday, April 22 shortly after the market closed at 6pm.

CCTV operators spotted Warrior standing over the man, kicking and punching him as he lay curled up on the ground. Warrior was then pulled away by two female friends and the injured man was taken to hospital.

Leicester Magistrates’ Court heard on Monday that the man did not speak to the police – possibly because he was too drunk – and later refused to co-operate with the investigation.

The 25-year-old of no fixed address, was charged with assault by beating based on the CCTV evidence and, having pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing, was jailed on Monday.

Prosecutor Kwok Wan said: “This is a matter involving an assault on a victim who has not assisted with the police investigation.

“A disturbance occurred and what is recorded is the person being assaulted being knocked to the ground.

“He is curled up in the foetal position. There are numerous punches and kicks while the other party is on the floor and it appears he was unconscious for several minutes afterwards.

“He was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary . The police have stated he was not engaging with officers, possibly due to his level of intoxication.

“He received medical treatment but without his permission police cannot obtain those details.”

Ishtiaq Sarwar, representing Warrior, told the court that the man Warrior attacked had been harassing one of their female friends, which led to the assault.

He said: “They got into a scuffle. Mr Warrior punches him twice and kicks him once to the bottom but then he walks away.

“They’ve now settled their differences.”

Warrior, who was appearing by video link from prison, then interrupted the hearing to ask for the CCTV to be shown in court, which it was.

The father of two also apologised for his behaviour in court the previous week but nothing more was said about what had happened.

Mr Mirza asked for his client to be given a suspended sentence but District Judge Nick Watson said the fact that Warrior had six previous offences for violence meant he could not suspend the jail sentence.

He said: “Obviously I don’t know what happened prior to the video but what I saw was the end of a nasty and sustained attack.

“You tell me through Mr Sarwar that the other man wasn’t behaving properly and I will sentence you on the assumption what you say was accurate.

“Nevertheless, others had to intervene to stop that getting worse. You’ve got a bad record of violence.

“I thought about whether I could suspend the sentence but given your record I don’t feel I can.”

He jailed warrior for six weeks and ordered him to pay a £115 victim surcharge.