Cruel gang of yobs locked-up after terrorising vulnerable Sheffield man
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Sheffield Crown Court heard on April 30 how Jamie Patterson-Smith, aged 19, of Page Hall Road, Sheffield, and a 17-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, subjected the complainant to abuse with three friends before he was attacked.
James Baird, prosecuting, had told a previous hearing the complainant had visited the room of fellow resident Joseph Dean at the Covid-19 supported hotel accommodation, on Montgomery Road, Nether, Edge, Sheffield, when he was targeted by Patterson-Smith, the 17-year-old girl, Dean, a 17-year-old male and 18-year-old Emily Hood.
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Hide AdThe complainant was targeted after he had allegedly referred to the two girls as tramps and slags, according to Mr Baird, and the complainant’s bag and mobile phone were taken.
Recorder Jonathan Sandiford QC said: “Only a custodial sentence can be justified. That is because this was a prolonged attack on a vulnerable young adult who was subjected to torture and humiliation.”
The 17-year-old girl berated the 22-year-old complainant, who suffers with mental health issues, and Patterson-Smith could be seen holding a knife to detain him, according to Mr Baird.
Mr Baird had said each time the complainant tried to leave he was pushed back on a bed and the knife was held by Patterson-Smith to his throat while the complainant was abused and told he was not going anywhere.
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Hide AdMr Baird previously told how the 17-year-old girl took a lighter to the complainant’s arms and legs and Patterson-Smith poked his leg with the knife and the 17-year-old girl took the complainant’s phone and forced him to get on his knees to beg for it back.
The complainant was throttled, attacked, punched and kicked during the incident, according to Mr Baird, including a kick from the 17-year-old male who had been filming the incident on his phone.
Recorder Sandiford said Patterson-Smith, the two 17-year-olds had been involved in violence while 21-year-old Dean encouraged others and Hood had been abusive.
He told Patterson-Smith: “You took centre-stage in this offence by detaining the complainant so he could not escape. You threatened him with a knife and you poked him with a knife and you controlled him.”
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Hide AdPatterson-Smith, who has one previous conviction, pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and robbery and the other defendants pleaded guilty to robbery after the incident on July 23, 2020, which lasted about an hour.
Sean Fritchley, defending, previously said Patterson-Smith is remorseful and Rebecca Tanner, defending, said the 17-year-old male, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been smoking cannabis excessively.
Jeremy Barton, defending, said Dean has shown remorse and is ashamed and Vanessa Saxton, defending, said the 17-year-old girl claimed things had escalated in a way she had not envisaged.
Rebecca Stevens, defending, previously told how Hood, of Ochre Dike Close, Watherthorpe, Sheffield, has self-harming and mental health issues.
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Hide AdRecorder Sandiford sentenced Patterson-Smith to five years and seven months in a Young Offender Institution and Dean to five years and four months of custody.
Hood was sentenced to three years in a YOI and the two 17-year-olds were each sentenced to three years and seven months in a YOI.
