“Brutal” - Three thugs jailed for “unprovoked" attack in the street where a man was threatened with a knife and beaten
Three thugs have been jailed after a “vicious” and “unprovoked” attack in Southsea where they threatened a man with a knife and brutally attacked him in the street.
Alfie Smith (22), Jack Hill (22) and Brandon West (22) were jailed for a combined total of over eight years after the attack on a 29-year-old Portsmouth man who was walking along Lawrence Road at 10.10pm on Wednesday, April 2.
The court heard that without warning, Hill pulled a black, nine-inch knife from his pocket and threatened the man. In a panic, the man grabbed Hill’s hand, but was punched in the face, forcing him to let go.
Hill dropped the knife and the man tried to flee, but tripped and fell into the road. All three men then proceeded to violently attack the man, brutally kicking and punching him as he lay in the road.
The man suffered a deep wound to the back of his head, a black eye, and injuries to his elbow. Vehicles began to stop and the three men fled, leaving the man bleeding in the road while members of the public rushed to help and called the police.
An investigation was launched by the Serious and Complex Investigations team, and the three men were identified, arrested and charged with grievous bodily harm with intent.
They all pleaded guilty and appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday, November 7, where they were sentenced to the following:
- Alfie Smith, of no fixed abode in Portsmouth was sentenced to 2 years and 3 months imprisonment.
- Jack Hill, of Greetham Street in Portsmouth was sentenced to 3 years and 5 months imprisonment.
- Brandon West, of no fixed abode in Portsmouth was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months imprisonment.
The judge noted that the assault was “brutal”, “unprovoked” and “persistent”.
DC Vivian Schram from the Serious and Complex Investigations team said: “This was a brutal attack on a member of the public.
“Violence in our communities is completely unacceptable, and we will act robustly against those who commit such crimes.
“Carrying knives in public is not only illegal but puts lives at risk. I urge everyone to think about the devastating consequences of knife crime.
“Our message is clear: if you carry a weapon or engage in violence, you will face the full consequences of the law.
“I would like to thank the members of the public who helped the victim and provided first aid, as well as the officers who gathered vital CCTV evidence and carried out key enquiries.”