Thug carried out Leeds street attacks on day of father’s funeral

A court heard one victim was left with a broken jaw and facial fractures and another was punched unconscious and hit with a bottle during the incidents on Armley Town Street.

A part time judge told Craig Hope, 29, he had behaved like an animal during the violence which took place after he had spent the day drinking at his father’s wake.

Hope had been drinking in the Royal pub before becoming aggressive in the early hours of November 1 last year.

Alisha Kaye, prosecuting, said he punched a man outside the pub before being calmed down by others.

Hope and some other men then attacked an innocent member of the public who was walking home from work.

He was punched from behind and fell to the ground and was hit on the head with a bottle.

The group then carried out another attack, half an hour later, on a man who was walking home from a fast food restaurant.

He was repeatedly kicked and punched and had to undergo surgery for his injuries. He also suffered partial hearing loss as a result of the attack.

Hope, of Nunnington View, Armley, was arrested after police recognised him from CCTV footage. He pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and affray.

The court heard he has previous convictions for robbery and violence. At the time of the incident he was subject to a suspended prison sentence for harassment and breach of a restraining order in relation to a domestic incident.

Steven Uttley mitigating, said: “The background to this offence is that on the day of these offences, Mr Hope had attended his father’s funeral. Although he may brave it out, the reality is that it has had a significant impact on him and it continues to play on his mind.

“The stress of that and the use of excessive amounts of alcohol was a foolish thing to do.”

“He is sorry for his involvement in this matter.”

Recorder Graham Cook said: “This was absolutely barbaric behaviour by you and your friends. In recent years your record is horrendous. You have convictions for robbery and violence.

On the night in question you behaved like an animal as far as civilised members of society are concerned.”