Thug jailed for 'ferocious' attack on man near Hartlepool nightclub

Connor McLeod was one of three people who attacked the man after he told them to be quiet following a night out in Hartlepool town centre with his partner.

The 25-year-old and his accomplices punched and kicked the man before he managed to briefly escape their violent assault.

Teesside Crown Court was shown CCTV of the three males chase down the man before knocking him to the ground before they all started punching and kicking the defenceless man rendering him unconscious.

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Peter Sabiston, prosecuting, said the attack only came to an end when members of the public intervened in the early hours of June 19 last year.

He said: “They were making their way home when they witnessed a group of males acting rowdily and he told them to be quiet. Three of the group confronted him, delivering punches and kicks while they had him pinned against something.

“He managed to escape before being chased down and knocked to the ground, the three males were punching and kicking him on the floor until other people intervened.”

In a victim impact statement, the man said he was still suffering headaches as a result of the brutal attack.

Connor McLeod (Image: Cleveland Police)

McLeod, of Dowson Road, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent when he appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court.

Martin Scarborough, mitigating, his client had the ‘good sense’ to plead guilty when he appeared in magistrates’ court and told the court he had been recalled on licence after serving part of a custodial sentence for a previous assault.

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Judge Paul Watson KC jailed McLeod for 20 months after watching the ‘ferocity’ of the attack on CCTV images from the night.

He said: “You and your two friends chased after him and when you caught up with him, he was repeatedly punched and kicked.

“When he fell to the floor, he was punched and kicked until rendered unconscious. Luckily the injuries were not as serious as they could have been.

“I have watched the CCTV and can see for myself the ferocity of this attack.”