Cocaine user involved in scuffle at Sheffield man's flat

Edward Selman, aged 33, went to a flat on Langsett Close, Hillsborough, Sheffield, looking for drugs with two others he had met in a pub before the occupant was repeatedly struck to his body, according to a Sheffield Crown Court hearing.

Fatima Zafar, prosecuting, told the court on June 30 the 56-year-old occupant heard a knock at his back door and shouting and he claimed his patio door was smashed and two men gained entry and there was an altercation and he was struck multiple times to the body.

Defence barrister Benjamin Knight said: “Selman always said he went to that address with two people he had met in that public house in order to buy cocaine.”

Mr Knight added Selman, who pleaded guilty to affray, claimed there had been a scuffle between himself and the complainant and he admitted causing injuries and damage.

Judge Michael Slater said the complainant’s account was he did not know these men and he did not sell drugs but they burst into his home on February 22 and gave him a beating.

Mr Knight said Selman, of Twingate Close, Shaw, Oldham, claimed money had been taken off him and he took matters into his own hands.

He added Selman is seeking to address his cocaine abuse after realising it can lead to other offending.

Judge Slater sentenced Selman to nine-months of custody suspended for 12 months with a 20-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.