Gang of teenagers filmed disgusting revenge attack on vulnerable young Sheffield man

Sheffield Crown Court heard on April 26 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 a barrage of abuse with three friends before he was attacked.

James Baird, prosecuting, said the complainant had visited the room of fellow 21-year-old 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 an 18-year-old girl.

Mr Baird added the complainant was targeted after he had allegedly referred to the two girls as tramps and slags and his bag was taken and emptied in the room.

The 17-year-old girl berated the 22-year-old complainant, who suffers with mental health issues, and Patterson-Smith could be seen at times holding a knife to detain him in the room, according to Mr Baird.

Mr Baird said: “Each time he tried to leave he was pushed back on the bed and the knife was held by Patterson to his throat and he was the subject of abuse and was told he was not going anywhere.”

Mr Baird added 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 Jonathan Sandiford QC said: “He was filming it. He was revelling in it and simply encouraged the others to carry on.”

Patterson-Smith 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, said Patterson-Smith who is remorseful had not been the instigator and he has been remanded in custody.

Rebecca Tanner, defending, said the 17-year-old male, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been smoking cannabis excessively and he had recently relocated to the area and was trying to fit in.

Defence barrister Jeremy Barton said Dean had not taken part in a lot of the incident and he has shown remorse and he is ashamed.

Vanessa Saxton, defending, said the 17-year-old girl had been shouting and things had escalated in a way she had not envisaged.

Defence barrister Rebecca Stevens said the 18-year-old girl - who is to be treated as a youth because of her age when she was convicted and is not to be named - had no physical involvement and has self-harming and mental health issues.

Recorder Jonathan Sandiford QC adjourned the case until Friday, April 30, for sentencing.

He told the defendants: “Robbery in particular is a very serious offence and it’s highly likely you will face custodial sentences.”

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