'It could have been murder': Warning for teen who aimed vicious kicks to the head in Leeds city-centre brawl
Teenager avoids being locked up after joining in attack during early-hours fight in Leeds city centre
A teenager was warned he could have been facing a murder charge after he aimed kicks to the head of a man laid on the floor during a city-centre scrap.
Mackenzie Harrison then attacked a police officer who tried to arrest him, Leeds Crown Court was told.
Harrison, 19, was told by Judge Penelope Belcher his conduct was “pathetic”.
She added: “The grown up thing to do is walk away.
“Single kicks to the head can result in death. You could have been facing a murder charge.
“You need to think about your behaviour. I could send you to custody and be absolutely entitled to do that.”
The court heard that a fight had broken out on The Headrow in the early hours of February 22 last year.
The incident near the doorway of TK Maxx was captured on CCTV. The victim was attacked by Harrison’s co-accused, who punched the man seven times.
While on the floor, Harrison aimed two kicks towards him, one of which was to the head.
The violence stopped, but another member of the group then began to attack the victim again, and Harrison kicked and stamped on him again.
But when the police turned up, Harrison struggled before lashing out, punching an officer to the head.
He then refused to answer questions during his police interview.
Harrison, of Farleton Drive, Bradford, admitted affray and assault on an emergency worker.
Mitigating, Mollie Briggs said he had only been 18 at the time and had no previous convictions.
She said he was “ashamed” and it had been “over something and nothing”. She said Harrison, who was now expecting his first child, had “not touched alcohol since”.
Having warned him, Judge Belcher gave Harrison a 12-month community order with 200 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation days with probation.