Bouncers 'revelled in violence' as woman knocked unconscious outside Leeds McDonald's
A team of bouncers were told they “revelled in violence” after a shocking incident in which they punched a woman unconscious and attacked her boyfriend.
The trio were handed suspended sentences at Leeds Crown Court after admitting a charge of affray from outside the McDonald’s on Albion Street.
In the early hours of August 21, 2022, a man and his partner, along with her mother, had enjoyed a night in Leeds before heading to the fast-food restaurant.
Prosecutor Jessica Lister said the daughter needed a “safe place” to administer medication, so asked door staff to skip the queue to use the toilet.
It was agreed, but the reason was not communicated to other staff members. An argument broke out when the group were inside, before being ejected.
The arguing continued outside on Merrion Street when the three door staff from nearby venues - Ben Everitt, Jiahong Guo and Bamoussa Bakayoko - arrived.
They had been notified by the security staff at the McDonald’s about the altercation.
CCTV footage played to the court showed them immediately approach the man and the two women near the side entrance of the restaurant on Merrion Street.
Everitt, 27, was the first to turn violent, telling them to move on and shoving the man with such force that he fell over.
Guo and Bakayoko then got involved, with Guo throwing a punch at the man.
A melee involving all of them then broke out with Bakayoko seen throwing punches into the group.
The younger woman of the group then collapsed on the floor unconscious. All three bouncers continued to throw punches.
The police arrived and initially arrested the male victim, but the “true nature” came to light said Ms Lister, and 24-year-old Guo and 27-year-old Bakayoko were apprehended.
Everitt later attended the police station voluntarily.
Mitigating for Everitt, Ella Embleton said he had been working at the nearby Pryzm nightclub when the request for help at McDonald’s went out.
She said he thought the male in the group was going to hit him, so struck first. She said he “acted purely in the moment” but had shown regret. He has just one previous conviction for assault.
For Guo, Maya Hanson said: “He accepts his conduct entirely, he does not seek to excuse it.
“He understands the seriousness of involving himself in violence.
“He has learned a painful lesson.”
She said he has no previous convictions, had stayed out of trouble since 2022 and remained in employment.
No mitigation was offered for Bakayoko after Judge Ray Singh suspended the sentences for the other two defendants.
He told them they seemed to “revel in the violence” and added: “Each of you are responsible. It was a group incident.
“You are trained individuals with a view to diffusing situations, not exacerbating them.
“Each of you seemed to enjoy your role.”
Everitt, of Thistleton Close, Macclesfield, was given 14 months’ jail, suspended for two years.
Guo, of Broadway, Kirkstall, was handed 10 months’ jail, suspended for two years.
Bakayoko, of Delph Lane, Hyde Park, was also given 10 months suspended for two years.
They were each told to complete 180 hours of unpaid work and pay £1,000 in court costs between them.