A South Yorkshire thug has been spared from prison after a man was attacked near a park

Sheffield Crown Court heard on March 15 how the thug and two youths targeted the young man who suffered a fractured jaw during the vicious attack near a skate park close to the Penistone Trail.

Simon Reevell, prosecuting, told a previous hearing Connor Wilding, aged 24, of Springvale Grove, Penistone, Barnsley, and two youths, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were involved in the attack which left the victim with a fractured jaw.

Mr Reevell added the victim had walked along the Penistone Trail to a field and a skate park before he heard Wilding shout his name and the defendant punched the complainant to the face causing him to fall into bushes.

The complainant fled and was chased by Wilding, according to Mr Reevell, and the two youths, who cannot be named for legal reasons, also pursued the victim.

Mr Reevell said: “He fell in a field and was set upon principally by Wilding. He described receiving seven super-hammer fast punches and two good boots.”

Wilding pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding, and one of the youths pleaded guilty to affray and the other youth pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour after the incident on May 14, 2019.

Mr Reevell said the complainant was left badly beaten and his jaw was broken in two places.

The complainant stated he had been at catering college but due to the time needed for recovery he lost his job and fell behind with his studies.

He added he needed a metal plate and pins in his broken jaw and he has to avoid certain sports and foods and he suffers with nightmares.

Richard Thyne, defending, said Wilding is hard-working and he is ashamed of his behaviour but he had taken a cocktail of substances.

Rebecca Stevens, representing the youth who admitted affray, said he may be suitable for a referral order sentence because he has appeared in court as a 17-year-old youth although he will be 18 years-old during March.

Francis Edusei, defending, who represents the 17-year-old youth who admitted threatening behaviour, also indicated a referral order may be suitable for this youngster.

Judge Jeremy Richardson QC said neither of the youths would be going into custody and he sent both their cases to the youth court sitting at the Sheffield Magistrates’ Court for sentencing at a later date.

However, Judge Richardson told Wilding: “You have broken a young man’s jaw. There have been devastating consequences for him as have been explained.

"It was a disgraceful episode and you now appreciate that.”

Judge Richardson had remanded Wilding into custody for four days before his sentencing and had warned him his time in custody would be very unpleasant.

Wilding was sentenced to two years of custody suspended for two years with a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and 200 hours of unpaid work and his progress will be reviewed on July 12.

The cases of the two youths will be considered at the youth court sitting at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on April 28.

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