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Pensioner’s disgust at attackers’ sentences
Michael Concah, secretary of Ashton Recreation Bowling Club, who was assaulted by a group of youths in March 2011
A PENSIONER who was viciously attacked by two teenagers has spoken of his “disgust” after they walked free from court.
Ashton resident Michael Concah was set upon by a gang of youths, after he asked them not to play football on the bowling green at Ashton Recreation Club, on March 19, 2011.
However, when the two youths responsible for the attack were sentenced, both walked free with minimal sentences.
Two weeks ago, 19-year-old Thomas Pounder, of Foley Walk, Moss Nook, Wythenshawe, was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years.
Yesterday, Derran Johnson, 19, of Clement Street, Huddersfield, was also given a three-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.
Mr Concah, 69, a father of two sons, who received shocking facial bruising during the beating, said: “I’m absolutely disgusted. The mental scars are still with me, and I have lost all faith in the judiciary in Britain.
“I have been treated appallingly by the CPS, and I have received more accurate information in the Wigan Evening Post than from the CPS or witness protection.
“This is a disgrace, and I shall not ever be using the judiciary again.
“How much money has this cost the taxpayer? Four crown court appearances and two magistrates court appearances between them. They are free to come back and do this to me again tomorrow.”
Johnson was due to appear for sentencing along with Pounder, but failed to turn up on February 2, claiming that he did not have enough money to get to Liverpool, as his giro had not arrived.
Zia Chaudhry, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court at the hearing on February 2 that, on the afternoon of March 19 last year, Mr Concah became aware that a group of youths were setting up for a game of football on the bowling green.
“He said, ‘come on lads, be fair’, but one of the female members of the group said, ‘what’s it got to do with you?’. Several males surrounded him, and he was pushed and shoved and, after being punched several times to the head, he then fell to the floor and lost his glasses.”
He suffered bruises to his face, particularly around his left eye, and there was also a small cut. Other club members, also in their 60s, and with various health problems, came out.
One of them, cancer sufferer John Sudworth, brandished a snooker cue at them, and when he went over to help Mr Concah, he was struck on the left side of his face, causing him to fall to his hand and knees.
He suffered further kicks or punches to his ribs, and his glasses and hearing aid were knocked off, said Mr Chaudhry.
Another member, David Croadsell, also came over, and he was punched and received a lump to the left side of his face.
MORE ON THIS IN THE WIGAN EVENING POTS (FRIDAY) ...
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Friday 25 May 2012
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Comments
There are 23 comments to this article
Page 1 of 2
Scarecrow
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 08:23 AMThis country is a joke where punishment for crime is concerned.
kenhas505
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 08:52 PMANOTHER GOOD REASON TO BRING BACK THE BIRCH
phillykenny
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 07:33 PMthis is completely and utterly depressing,how did we ever get in this mess,
renagiw
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 07:19 PM1 of these $%&£ may have his address as wythenshawe, but he lives in wigan area , dont know whats going on there. Suspended for 2 years? Its only a matter of time believe me...even so, 3 months inside is not enough for what he did to this man. Maybe if someone from wythenshawe reads this they will know where to find him now ;-)
juns1939
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 06:51 PMJust another highlight of how this Country and its judges have gone to the dogs. The law should be "an eye for an eye". Take these scumbags and beat them to a pulp, its pathetic the way these courts deal with them
Traindriver
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 03:37 PMBetween them all, the politicians, judges and senior civil servants have all played a major role in how this country has sunk to the levels that it has. Hang your heads in shame, the lot of you.
MicrowaveMan
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 01:09 PMI wish me n my mates had been nearby. We would have broken their legs coward kids
working for EU and IMF Greece needs all our cash
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 12:26 PMwhats the point off the police catching these feral scum ? the crime doesn't fit the sentence. these morons knew what they where doing was very wrong and they got a slapped wrist !! and please behave yourselves !! a damn good public flogging in Ashton Town center would be more suitable punishment.
Dilbert
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 12:20 PMThe Judge was either on something or must have heard a different story than is being reported here - I hope it's the latter but who knows these days? This scum should have been locked away for a very long time. What was their defence this time? Young child who needs his 'daddy'? Drink or drugs problem? Nobody loves me? Unbelievable.
gary3170
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 12:14 PMwhat where tehy doing in ashton if they were from wythenshawe and huddersfield? your pals inside the bolwling green club should have pasted them with the snooker cues!! hope you healed well mr.concah and keep in your mind one day these little bullies will get whats coming to them!
Removed by moderator
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 11:56 AMMr. Concah…..hope you and your family can overcome this terrible event in your life............... Free the police and courts from the politically correct straitjacket which is stopping them from doing their jobs properly……….............. End the liberal fixation with the “rights” of criminals and replace it with concern for the rights of victims – and the right of innocent people not to become victims……
fixer
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 11:46 AMOne has to wonder if the phrase DON'T TAKE THE LAW INTO YOUR OWN HANDS has any relevance any more? I make no appolgies for the fact that if any creature injured or harmed any of my family then that creatures life on this planet would be seriously disadvantaged, And AGAIN before any namby pandies attempt to justify the reasons for the ridiculous lenient treatment of creatures like this just think why people will resort to do it yourself justice.
fixer
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 11:44 AMOne has to wonder if the phrase DON'T TAKE THE LAW INTO YOUR OWN HANDS has any relevance anymore? I make no appolgies for the fact that if any creature injured or harmed any of my family then that creatures life on this planet would be seriously disadvantaged, And AGAIN before any namby pandies attempt to justify the reasons for the ridiculous lenient treatment of creatures like this just think why people will resort to do it yourself justice.
Trelawney
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 11:35 AMNot only does there seem a lack of justice, but also a lack of will to prosecute the people who incited this evil act. According to the article it seems they were egged on by people who should have also been prosecuted. So they get away with it, maybe just maybe the suspended sentence may deter them from further attacks, but what message does it give out? Do we have to have another tragic case like in Warrington? ............Also wasn't it near here where ambulance divers were attacked. Perhaps if we had more police doing what police used to do, that is patrolling the streets, visible policing is what Joe Public is crying out for.
skydriver
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 11:17 AMPending Moderation
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