Three booze-fuelled "Mad Friday" thugs from South Yorkshire attacked a man on a train

Sheffield Crown Court heard on January 5 how Jack Haigh, Dylan Gelder and Thomas Strutt, of Barnsley, attacked the man on the Nottingham to Leeds train on December 20, 2019, after the complainant had told the defendants to stop swearing and shouting.

Matthew Burdon, prosecuting, said the complainant became aware of the three defendants swearing and being loud and he asked them to calm down before one of them walked towards him and pushed him and an argument ensued.

Another defendant came forward and the complainant was forced into a vestibule area, Mr Burdon said, and another defendant became involved and the complainant was punched and kicked to the floor.

The court heard how a guard spotted the fracas as the train was near Barnsley and pointed out two of the defendants to police.

Mr Burdon said: “He saw one male, believed to be Gelder, punch the victim to the floor and the train guard saw two males start kicking him.”

The court heard Haigh fled the scene while he was being handcuffed.

Haigh, aged 26, of Ashbourne Road, Athersley South, Barnsley; Gelder, 26, of Sunny Bank Drive, Cudworth, Barnsley, and Strutt, 24, of Park Avenue, New Lodge, Barnsley, all pleaded guilty to affray. Haigh also pleaded guilty to obstructing a police officer.

Sean Fritchley, defending Haigh, said: “They were out drinking all day in what is colloquially known as ‘Mad Friday’.”

The last Friday before Christmas is known as “Mad Friday” as it is one of the most popular nights for outings and parties during the festive season.

Mr Fritchley added Haigh panicked and ran away probably because he was drunk.

Haigh was described by Mr Fritchley as a hard-working haulier who has changed his attitude.

Vanessa Saxton, defending, said civil engineer Gelder is a man of previous good character and he is remorseful and ashamed.

Rebecca Stevens, defending, claimed the complainant had been aggressive during the incident.

She added that apprentice electrician Strutt apologised to police and is thoroughly ashamed and claims he punched the complainant but denied kicking him.

Judge Michael Slater told the defendants: “At the end of the day you three set upon one man and whilst he was not seriously injured it must have been a frightening and demeaning experience and it must have ruined his Christmas.”

He added if the defendants had been brought to court for sentencing closer to the time of the incident they would most likely have been sent to prison.

However, Judge Slater sentenced Haigh to 12 months of custody suspended for two years and he was ordered to pay £500 compensation and fined £100 because he had been subject to a suspended prison sentence for possessing drugs with intent to supply.

Gelder and Strutt were each sentenced to six months of custody suspended for 12 months and they must both pay £500 compensation.

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