Drunken thugs sentenced over violent attacks

Simon Bristow

VICTIMS of two young thugs attacked in a drink-fuelled crime spree may never recover, a judge has said.

Martyn Ward, 18, and Michael Wilson, 20, had been drinking all day last August when they began attacking those in their path.

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Wilson dragged a 22-year-old woman into bushes before sexually assaulting and robbing her, and the pair left a 28-year-old Carl Cragg in a coma with serious head injuries after attacking him from behind.

They also robbed a heavily pregnant woman and battered another man.

Both have now been put behind bars after a judge heard harrowing statements from their victims.

The 22-year-old woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, said she had been through “pure hell” since the attack, while Mr Cragg said his life had been ruined after he was left deaf in one ear with 11 fractures to his skull.

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Locking up Wilson indefinitely and sentencing Ward to four years in a young offenders’ institute, Judge Michael Mettyear said: “All your victims suffered as a result of your conduct, some if not all will never recover after what you did to them. Wilson, you are a very dangerous young man. I have no idea when it will be safe to release you.

“Ward, I have to bear in mind your age, but these are grave offences. You showed no mercy to your victims so the court will show no mercy to you.”

Hull Crown Court heard the violence began at 8pm on August 21 when Wilson repeatedly punched a woman before sexually assaulting her and stealing her mobile phone and handbag.

In a statement read to the court, she said: “I used to be bubbly and confident and now I am nervous and easily upset. The man who did this is dangerous.”

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Wilson then met Ward and the pair, both of Staveley Road, Hull, attempted to rob pedestrian Ewan Morrison before turning their attentions to Daniel Wade – whom Ward had robbed at knifepoint a week earlier – and who was with his heavily pregnant girlfriend.

Wilson admitted two sexual assaults, four robberies and two assaults with intent to rob.

Ward pleaded guilty to three robberies and assault with intent to rob.

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