Steven Savage and Lewis East, both 16, were jailed for a total of seven years after smashing a wine bottle over Adrian Shield's head and kicking him "like a footballer taking a penalty" as he slumped unconscious on the ground.

Judge Robert Moore QC said if passing paramedics had not rushed to the 21-year-old's aid on West Street the yobs would "probably be facing a homicide charge".

Andrew Hatton, prosecuting, told Sheffield Crown Court Savage smashed the bottle over Adrian's head with such force the glass shattered.

"One witness described him falling like a tree, another him falling out cold like a boxer who has just been punched a knockout blow," he said.

"His state of unconsciousness would have been apparent - but East ran up and kicked him to the head.

"Two witnesses used similar expressions - one said he was like a footballer taking a penalty, another like a goalkeeper taking a goal kick.

"One said East kicked as hard as he could kick."

The court heard Adrian, who was in the final year of an environmental studies degree at Sheffield Hallam University, was attacked after the young yobs approached him and a friend asking for cigarettes.

The conversation turned aggressive and Adrian's friend was punched.

When Savage and East turned on Adrian he was left with a fractured skull, a bleeding brain and breathing problems. He spent weeks in hospital and his family say it could be another 12 to 18 months before he makes a full recovery.

Judge Moore said both thugs were "deeply affected" by drink and drugs when they struck.

East was under the influence of alcohol and cannabis and was serving a community sentence for knifepoint robbery. Savage had no previous convictions.

East, of Bowfield Road, Firth Park, was jailed for four years after admitting causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Savage, of Brimmesfield Close, Arbourthorne, got three years for the same offence.

Adrian's parents Lesley and David Shield, from Richmond, North Yorkshire, told The Star their son is still not well enough to leave the house unaccompanied.

Lesley, 52, said: "We don't know what the long term effects will be.
"He was just three exams away from finishing his course and starting the next phase of his life - applying for graduate jobs and beginning his career. Now all that is on hold until he is well enough to complete the course, whenever that will be."

But she urged other young people not to be deterred from studying in Sheffield.

"Adrian enjoyed living in Sheffield and would not want his experience to put anyone off coming here," she said. "I think he would consider coming back - it's the kind of thing that could have happened anywhere."

She added: "We are so grateful to the ambulance staff for saving his life."

Det Con John Fitzgibbons, who led the police investigation, said: "This was a particularly serious incident that could have been fatal but for the fact an ambulance crew happened to be driving along the road. Mr Shield was not breathing when they arrived and had to be resuscitated."

He added: "I would like to reassure people that serious incidents like this are relatively rare in Sheffield, and South Yorkshire Police are committed to reducing violent crime."


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