Thug aimed 'flying kick' at woman outside Leeds McDonald's during late-night spat
Defendant was already on a suspended sentence for violence
A thug who became involved in an altercation at a city-centre McDonald’s attacked and kicked a female.
Kai Cockroft was already on a suspended sentence for a previous incident but was spared immediate custody for a second time at Leeds Crown Court.
The judge said the 24-year-old was lucky not to face more serious offences, with the Crown only charging him with assault by beating and two of criminal damage, to which he pleaded guilty.
The court heard there had been a disagreement between three females at the McDonald’s on Briggate at around 3am on May 15.
The confrontation spilled outside and Cockroft tried to separate them, prosecutor Oliver Kilvington said.
But he then threw one to the floor, hit her with her own bag multiple times and aimed punches towards her.
He took an iPad from her bag and smashed it and stamped on her glasses.
He then left the scene briefly but returned, aiming a flying kick at the woman. He also tried to punch a security guard.
The incident was captured on CCTV.
After being arrested, he was put in the police van and smashed his head again the side window. He later gave a no-comment interview.
Cockroft, of Hill Crescent, Birstall, has six previous convictions for eight offences, including the violent disorder for which he received a 13-month sentence, suspended for two years.
The McDonald’s incident put him in breach of that sentence.
Mitigating, Lucy Finney said he was “under absolutely no illusion” that his sentence could be activated.
She added: “He is remorseful for what happened. He has seen the footage and is absolutely disgusted by his actions. He just did not recognise himself.”
Ms Finney said he had been diagnosed with ADHD and said there was “clearly a lack of maturity”.
Judge Neil Clark described the footage as a “shocking piece of film” and said Cockroft was fortunate not to be charged with affray - a much more serious charge than assault.
He told him: “You were lashing out at anyone, frankly.”
He gave him a 16-week sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered him to complete additional requirements, including 30 rehabilitation days with probation and a 90-day alcohol abstinence requirement.
Judge Clark warned Cockroft: “If this happens again then ultimately you will find yourself in custody for a long time.”