Street rangers who work tirelessly to keep the Newcastle city centre safe for everyone face regular threats and anti-social behaviour, their boss has revealed.
The Chronicle reported this week how vile drug addict Callum Goodwin attacked an NE1 Street Ranger and bit his arm when the worker went to check on him after he was spotted slumped on a path in the city. Goodwin 31, of Walker Road, Walker, Newcastle, was jailed for 16 months at Newcastle Crown Court after admitting assault occasioning actual bodily harm in relation to the ranger and affray.
Today Mark Sumner, who is head of operations at the business improvement district company NE1 Ltd, condemned the attack.
And he revealed the NE1’s rangers face regular threats while doing their “vital” jobs in the city.
Mr Sumner said: “NE1’s team of Street Rangers provide a highly visible presence on the city’s streets. The rangers play a crucial role in supporting businesses and the public and helping make Newcastle a safe and welcoming place for everyone. The team of six Street Rangers works tirelessly 364 days a year and is a highly dedicated and responsive resource for businesses and the public.
Mark Sumner, NE1 operations manager
(Image: NE1)
“Unfortunately, in their daily duties, the rangers are exposed to threats of attack and anti-social behaviour and these incidents are always taken seriously. Thankfully, the member of staff who was assaulted was not badly injured and returned to work the same day.
“He continues to be a valued member of the Street Ranger team. We take any threat or assault extremely seriously and we work with the police to take action and pursue prosecution, as in this case, which ensures that Newcastle remains a safe and welcoming city.”
Newcastle Crown Court heard how at around 11.15 on February 24 last year the ranger was sent to check on the welfare of Goodwin after he was spotted slumped on the path outside the Forbidden Planet shop in Newcastle. He shook him to try to rouse him and make sure he was alive and well and after initially failing to respond, he stood up.
Goodwin then realised he had dropped a burger onto the ground and blamed the ranger, sparking violent scenes which culminated his him wrapping his teeth around his arm. The yob then went on to injure two more people in Jesmond weeks later
Neil Pallister, prosecuting, said: “The defendant realised the burger he had was in pieces on the floor and he became agitated and blamed the ranger for it, shouting ‘why did you do that to my burger, I’m going to smash your head in’.
“He was pacing backwards and forwards and got in his face and began trying to spit on him, on a number of occasions.” When the victim put his hands out against his chest to try to control him, Goodwin shouted that he was being assaulted.
He then grabbed the man’s body worn video camera and threw it across the street. There was then a struggle in which Goodwin wrapped his teeth around his arm and bit him then kicked him.
The victim, who was left with a large bruise and bite mark, said in a victim impact statement: “It made me feel angry and concerned for my wellbeing.” He added: “I do a lot for the community in my role and there’s no excuse for this behaviour.”
While on police bail for that offence, on March 17, Goodwin kicked off again in Hazelwood Avenue, Jesmond. He went to the back yard of a property uninvited, pushed a man and shouted ‘keep the f****** noise down or I will smash your head in’.
He was told to leave and forced out of the yard and his repeated efforts to get back in were thwarted. He then began indiscriminately throwing items from the alley into the yard, including big bags, glass bottles and bricks.
Two people in the yard suffered minor injuries as a result of his actions – one was cut by a shard of glass and another was struck on the arm with a brick.
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