Masked men chased victim around Barnsley pub before beating him with baseball bats
Three men have been jailed over a baseball attack outside a South Yorkshire pub.
Christopher Baulk, Joshua Redfern and Jack Hardwick attacked a man outside the Red Rum pub on Cemetery Road, Grimethorpe, Barnsley, in March, 2025.
Violence flared in connection with a dispute over a scrapyard business, Sheffield Crown Court heard.
The attackers, separated by security guards as they appeared in the court dock to be sentenced, had previously pleaded guilty to assault.
Prosecuting barrister Paige Yellott told the court how on March 30, 2025 the three men drove to the pub where they knew the victim was, after a dispute over a scrapyard business.
She continued to explain how the men donned balaclavas and wielded baseball bats as they chased the man.
“They beat him with bats for around 30 seconds,” she added.
The victim was left with two broken fingers and lacerations to the back of his head.
In a statement from the victim, which Ms Yellott read out in court, he explained how the injuries now mean that he suffers with regular black-outs and headaches.
He explained how the conditions mean he struggles to care for his children or take them out to the park, and has been prescribed anti-depressants.
He suffers with debilitating anxiety which makes it difficult for him to leave the house.
“Even though there may be conviction and a final outcome, I don’t think I will ever live again as a result,” the victim said in his statement.
When all three men were arrested they initially refused to comment, the court was told.
The prosecuting barrister told Judge David Dixon that they initially pleaded not guilty to charges, with a trial date set for November 2025.
However, all three ultimately ended up pleading guilty to charges accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service.
“That sort of violence taking place in an everyday street and an everyday part of South Yorkshire is not going to be tolerated,” Judge Dixon said as he began sentencing.
Christopher Baulk
Baulk’s defence barrister Chris Moran said his client has two children who he would regularly see prior to being remanded in custody ahead of the sentecing hearing.
“From personal mitigation, it seems that the defendant had a somewhat troubled background, beginning in school,” Mr Moran added.
The barrister told the court how while in custody, Baulk, 35, of Beech Drive, Leeds, has completed a number of courses, including one for anger management.
He added that his client is currently awaiting an appointment with a psychiatrist to be assessed for bipolar disorder and ADHD.
Addressing Bault, Judge Dixon said: “You are now in your mid 30s. The time comes who you have to put your past behind you and plan to get on with life like everyone else does.”
Baulk, who has a number of previous convictions on his record, pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, possessing cannabis in public and grievous bodily harm.
He was jailed for three years and four months and served with a 10-year restraining order to protect the victim.
Joshua Redfern
Redfern’s barrister, Samreen Akhtar, said: “He expressed remorse for his involvement and wishes to apologise to the complainant today.”
Ms Akhtar went on to explain that while in custody, Redfern’s relationship had fallen apart and he had lost his accommodation.
She told the court that her client - who is 25 and from Doncaster Road, Barnsley - is open about past drug use and is working to deal with his addiction long-term, and when he is released plans to continue employment as an electrician.
“You are lucky it (the attack) didn’t cause more serious harm,” Judge Dixon said to Redfern as he passed sentence.
Redfern pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and grievous bodily harm.
He was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison, with a 10 year restraining order.
Jack Hardwick
Hardwick’s barrister Richard Baradell said that the 18-year-old, of Engine Lane, Barnsley, had already served significant time on remand and asked the judge to take it into account.
“You were only 17 at the time of this offence,” Judge Dixon said as he addressed Hardwick.
“On that basis, I’m going to work on the basis that you were immature. I don’t mean that offensively.”
The judge explained how Hardwick had gone along with the actions of Baulk and Redfern, but now had a choice to get his life back on track.
“As much as I might want to do something about it, as much as I might want to influence it, the reality is it is your choice,” the judge continued.
He imposed an 18 month sentence but is no longer behind bars because of the amount of time already spent on remand.
Hardwick received the same restraining order as the other two defendants.
“What I would like for you is to never see you again,” the judge said before releasing Hardwick.
“Get yourself a good job, get yourself a trade.
“Find out people to talk to, find out activities, find a life.
“You don’t want to be like Mr Baulk, being in and out of custody.”