Two South Yorkshire thugs have been jailed for attacking an environmental health officer

Two thugs who repeatedly punched an environmental health officer in a car park during a terrifying attack have been put behind bars.
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Sheffield Crown Court heard on September 21 how Vaughn Parker, aged 23, and Alex Winn, 21, approached their victim at a car park near Rahman superstore, in Rotherham, before unleashing an unprovoked attack.

Neil Coxon, prosecuting, said: “The two defendants approached him and asked what he was doing. He noticed previously they had been part of a group nearby and the complainant explained his role and why he was there and Parker told the complainant he ran this area and demanded £5,000 in money in exchange for him being able to do his job.”

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Mr Coxon added: “Winn was more aggressive and Parker kept pushing him away as Winn threatened to ‘light’ the complainant and he began to back away from them and both defendants followed him and began punching him repeatedly each delivering approximately five to ten punches.”

Two South Yorkshire thugs have been jailed at Sheffield Crown Court, pictured, after they attacked an environmental health officer in Rotherham.Two South Yorkshire thugs have been jailed at Sheffield Crown Court, pictured, after they attacked an environmental health officer in Rotherham.
Two South Yorkshire thugs have been jailed at Sheffield Crown Court, pictured, after they attacked an environmental health officer in Rotherham.

People intervened after the attack which was caught on CCTV and the complainant was taken to a nearby shop, according to Mr Coxon.

Parker told police he had been drunk and had nearly been run over by a car and he had felt irate. Winn made no comment.

Parker, who has previous convictions, of Psalters Lane, Kimberworth, Rotherham, and Winn, who also has previous convictions, of Grange Road, Swinton, Rotherham, both pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm after the incident on August 17.

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The court heard Parker is still subject to a community order and Winn admitted breaching a previously imposed conditional discharge.

Ian Goldsack, defending, said Parker has apologised and regrets what happened. He added Parker had a difficult upbringing, has had mental health problems and he has expressed genuine remorse and regret.

Peter Cruickshank, defending, said Winn has had a difficult past, lived with his grandparents and at one time he had been suicidal and underwent anger management.

Mr Cruickshank added: “Alex fully accepts his part in this awful event. He’s not proud of what he has done and he is sorry.”

Recorder Keir Monteith QC sentenced Parker and Winn to ten months of custody each.

He told them: “It must have been terrifying and shocking to be attacked in the way I have seen.”