Two drunken thugs pounced on and attacked a man for no reason as he made his way home in a terrifying episode of “mindless violence”.
It was shortly before midnight on May 7 last year that the victim was walking home in Byker, Newcastle, having collected something to eat from a fast food restaurant. Dean Graham and Armindo Silva were loitering in the area and Silva approached the victim and asked who he was and where he was going, before Graham joined them.
Nick Lane, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court: “The complainant became concerned he was going to be chased and began to move on. Both defendants gave chase and Graham jumped on to his back, causing both to fall to the ground.
“The victim got up and tried to continue to run away. He was taken to the ground by Silva, who punched and kicked him to the head? while on the floor and choked him. “
Dean Graham, jailed for assault
(Image: Northumbria Police)
Graham picked up an item from the ground and threw it but it’s not clear if it connected, the court heard. The assault came to an end when a member of the public intervened but they took the victim’s coat and mobile phone before making off.
Graham and Silva had sustained injuries themselves and when police spoke to them they initially believed they had been the victims of violence. Once CCTV was viewed, it became clear they were actually the perpetrators. Silva was wearing the victim’s coat in police body worn footage afterwards and it and the phone were recovered from his home.
The victim suffered bruising to his face, back, elbow and knees and attended at the RVI. He said he was left feeling shaken up, distressed and vulnerable afterwards.
Armindo Silva, jailed for assault and theft
(Image: Northumbria Police)
Judge Penny Moreland told Graham and Silva: “He was taken to the ground, kicked, punched and strangled. He was clearly terrified by the two of you setting upon him late at night.
“He thought he was going to die as a result of the violence you both used against him. It was a persistent attack and you were both under the influence of alcohol and cocaine.”
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Graham, 31, of Wraysbury Court, Kingston Park, Newcastle and Silva, 29, of Brock Square, Byker Newcastle, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and Silva also admitted theft. Graham also admitted a separate offence of common assault on a woman working in Newcastle city centre. He commented on her appearance before grabbing her in a bear hug and picking her up and squeezing her hard before dropping her, causing her to fall and bump her head, leaving her with minor injuries.
The court heard both men have previous convictions and Graham was jailed for a total of 32 months while Silva got 29 months.
Andrew Walker, for Silva, said he had turned his life around after getting in trouble as a younger man and teenager and had been working as a lab technician for around four years before getting involved in the offence after making the “fateful decision” to go out with his old school pal, Graham, and having too much to drink and taking drugs.
Sue Hirst, for Graham, said: “He fully accepts what he did was mindless violence. He jumped on the victim’s back and knocked him to the ground, admittedly for no reason. The victim punched him so hard the defendant went to the ground.”
Miss Hirst said Graham got up and left the scene while the kicking was taking place and didn’t steal anything. Miss Hirst added: “He is very remorseful for his actions.”
She said he has worked installing glazing, including on the new HMRC building in Newcastle city centre, and has the offer of work. Miss Hirst said Graham had started drinking more than he usually would following the sudden death of his father last year.
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