Police release 'most violent' street fight video as dad of six escapes jail

THIS frightening CCTV captures one of the most brutal street fights caught on camera as a Leeds man repeatedly kicks his victim in the head in a petty disagreement over cigarettes.

The drama unfolded on camera after Gareth Tate, 37, and an unidentified man began brawling in a drunken encounter.

After having a bottle smashed over his head, Tate holds his opponent while another brawler suddenly appears to kick him in the head.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The video was released by West Yorkshire Police in a bid to try and trace the other two men involved in the ferocious fighting, after Tate was handed a six-month suspended sentence and 240 hours unpaid work at Leeds Crown Court.

Tate, who handed himself into police after the fight in Leeds, had drunk eight pints that night and was on his way to get a kebab when he got into an argument with the man about cigarettes.

He claimed he had been approached by him for cigarettes and, after refusing his request, was called "four eyes' because he wears glasses.

The video, which has been edited by police because it is so violent, shows the two men arguing with each other and a woman attempting to calm them down.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Suddenly the two begin to grapple and fall over a railing as the unidentified man repeatedly strikes Tate over the head with a bottle, eventually smashing it over his head as they wrestle on the floor.

Tate then manages to hold his opponent still as another individual appears out of nowhere and launches several kicks at the man, who is being held in position by Tate.

In one section Tate's unknown helper misjudges his aim and actually kicks him in the face, breaking his nose.

The 'kicker', as he was referred to in court, is even aware of the CCTV cameras but just covers his face with his hood and carries on.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Father-of-six Tate told the court he thought he would be stabbed to death when the bottle was smashed over his head.

Tate explained the cause of the trouble by saying: "I had been slagged off for something because he did not get his own way,' before telling Judge Rodney Grant "I wish I had just turned and gone."

He said: "I have six kids at home. They are no good without their father are they?

"It's not like how it used to be. Twenty years ago you used to be able to go out and have an argument, maybe even a punch up. But these days there are stabbings. I knew I had just been bottled, I felt the blow on my head."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Describing the appearance of the "kicker", he said: "This other person came and started putting his two penn'orth in. I did not know either of them. I even told the person 'it's not your argument'.'

Tate, who pleaded guilty to affray, said he he went home and glued his own head wound before going to hospital and then to police.

The judge told him: "I cannot be sure that you held that man, whoever he was, so that man, whoever he was, could kick him."

He added: "What I find to be proved was your aggression that evening and your willingness to fight."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Det Insp Nicola Bryar, from North East Leeds CID, said: "This was a violent and ugly incident in which all those involved acted in a disgraceful and dangerous manner.

"The sentence of Gareth Tate brings one of these men to justice but I would appeal for the public's help in identifying the other two suspects who took part in this vicious assault.'