Ex-Marine urges boot camp discipline for teenage thugs

But it was in Bridlington, as he made his way home from a takeaway, when a brutal attack left him unconscious with a fractured skull and broken nose and jaw.

The 38-year-old was set upon late at night by two teenagers who had spent the whole day drinking alcohol. The next thing he remembers is waking up in hospital, two days later.

He would later learn in court he had been knocked to the ground and kicked "like it was a football penalty" for only 15.

Now, after months of rehabilition, and with his attackers behind bars, Mr Lindley is calling for young thugs to be sent to boot camps for an insight into life in the military.

Hull Crown Court heard David Winder, 19, who had never met Mr Lindley, squared up to him at about 1.40am on August 2 last year.

Once Mr Lindley was unconscious on the ground, Edmund Heald, 19, rifled through his pockets and stole 15 from his wallet.

Jharna Jobes, prosecuting, told the court the attack was witnessed by taxi driver Richard Little, who called 999 and stayed to identify the men to police.

Ms Jobes said: "He saw David Winder kneel and punch Mr Lindley three times. These were to his face.

"He then saw him kick Mr Lindley to the ribs while still on the ground. That kick rendered him unconscious.

"He said he saw him appear to move away. He saw him walk back while (Mr Lindley was) still defenceless on the floor and kick him like it was a football penalty."

Mr Lindley, who was medically discharged from the armed forces in 2001 with a shattered pelvis, was in hospital for almost a week after the attack.

The court heard he may never fully recover from his physical and psychological injuries.

"I am not able to drive yet and, as I work in the civil service, that has caused a bit of disruption," Mr Lindley said.

"I have lost a lot of weight after having my jaw broken and I've been trying to get my speech right and wearing balancing shoes."

Winder, of Bridlington, was sentenced to five years in a young offenders' institution after pleading guilty to causing wounding with intent.

Heald, also of Bridlington, was locked up for 12 months after admitting theft.

Mr Lindley said youth crime had been "out of our grasp for some time" and it was "definitely" time for tougher sentences to be given to young people who break the law.

"I think the five years given to the youth who kicked me would be okay," he added, "if I knew he would serve that time or at least 75 per cent of it.

"But he will only serve half that sentence. He's already been inside for about six months, so he'll be out in two years' time.

"Personally, I think boot camps would be a good idea, particularly when you consider that the guy who kicked me will be out so soon.

"Boot camps might end up giving these youths a trade and giving them a different angle to consider, and I'm all for military discipline – it wouldn't do any harm to these two."