Leeds teenager took part in unprovoked street gang attack on man

Thomas Lock and his friend laughed as they inflicted the injuries upon the victim and damaged his mobile phone.

Leeds Crown Court heard Lock, now aged 18, was 16 years old at the time of the attack on April 11, 2019.

Helen Chapman, prosecuting, said the victim was walking to shops when he heard shouting from a group of youths.

He ignored them but was approached by Lock and another youth.

The man was then punched to the face three times and fell to the floor.

His mobile phone fell to the ground and smashed during the attack.

The victim needed hospital treatment as he was coughing blood and had pain to his face.

He also had difficulty eating in the days after the assault.

Lock was identified from CCTV footage of the incident.

The victim also picked him out at an identity procedure.

Lock refused to comment when interviewed.

Stephen Welford, mitigating, said Lock had not been in trouble in the two years since the attack and had found a job working as a tiler.

His employer provided a character reference to the court on Lock's behalf.

Mr Welford said Lock could not explain why he became involved in the attack and could behave in an immature way.

Lock was made the subject of an 18-month community order, during which time he must complete 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days and do 150 hours of unpaid work.

Judge Mushtaq Khokhar said: "It was a totally unprovoked attack and the injuries that resulted from it caused him pain, discomfort and a lot of inconvenience."