A JUDGE has branded staff of a casino ‘disgraceful’ after they stood by and watched a homeless man being viciously beaten and robbed after he was thrown out of their premises.

Liam Evans followed his victim into Admiral Casino before headbutting him and demanding cash before launching a sustained and violent attack outside the building.

Staff in the casino had thrown both men out onto Stockton High Street before locking the doors and watching the 30-year-old rain down brutal blows on the defenceless victim as he struggled to hang onto his life’s belongings.

Teesside Crown Court was shown footage of the violent robbery captured in the doorway of the casino in November last year.

Evans, who was appearing in court via video-link, hung his head, saying ‘disgraceful’ as the judge watched the three-minute attack played out in all of its horror.

The Northern Echo: Liam EvansLiam Evans

And Judge Jonathan Carroll agreed with the defendant’s verdict as he jailed him for more than three years.

He said: “I saw the CCTV of that, he was wearing the clothes that he was stood up in and carrying a small bag with all his worldly property – he had about £2.50 in his pocket, beyond that he had nothing.

“You attacked him claiming he owed you some kind of money, he sought refuge at the Admiral casino, I am shocked, when it is patently clear he was a victim and staff simply chucked him out and locked the door on him, leaving him to face the attack that you delivered on him.

“It was a vicious attack, you were abusive and agitated, you were headbutting him inside the casino and then in the door well there was a sustained three-minute attack. You were kicking at him, punching him and there was a vicious knee strike to his head.

“In the middle of this you rummaged through his pockets to take half of the small change – all he owned in the world.

“This was a disgraceful, extended assault and robbery on a man who had done nothing wrong and who had precious little to give.”

Dr Christopher Wood, prosecuting, said the robbery took place a month after Evans was charged with actual bodily harm (ABH) when he punched and kicked another man to the ground as he walked through Stockton town centre.

He said the victim was taken to hospital for treatment to the cuts and bruises he suffered as a result of the violent attack in October last year.

Tom Bennett, in mitigation, said: “He recognises how disgraceful his behaviour was.”

Evens, of Hartington Road, Stockton, was sentenced to three years for the robbery and a consecutive eight-months for the ABH.

Turning his attention to the conduct of the casino staff, the judge said their attitude was ‘absolutely disgraceful’ and ordered the prosecution to send the case to the appropriate licencing authority.

  • Admiral Casino has been contacted for comment by The Northern Echo.

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