Thug used broom in revenge attack on Knottingley assault victim over statement to police, Leeds Crown Court told

Leeds Crown Court heard the victim had been attacked at a flat in Knottingley by three men.

Prosecutor, Jade Edwards, said the man had been punched and struck on the head, causing bleeding during the incident on July 17 2018.

Miss Edwards said two days later, the man was walking along Windermere Drive in Knottingley when Richard Hunter-Smith shouted to him 'have you given a statement about me?'

The court heard that less than a minute later, Hunter-Smith reappeared with a wooden broom in his hand.

He used it to strike the man on the head with such force that the broom head came off.

Miss Edwards said Hunter-Smith, 24, then used the broom handle to hit the man on the left shoulder.

The man suffered a cut to his left ear and a 45cm long cut to his shoulder.

He was taken to hospital where the ear wound was treated using wound closure strips.

Miss Edwards said: "He also reported being assaulted by the same person earlier in the week, but with a brick to the ear."

Hunter-Smith, of Sycamore Avenue, Knottingley, admitted charges of taking revenge and having an offensive weapon.

Hunter-Smith has 33 previous convictions for 67 offences, including battery, assault PC, robbery and blackmail.

He appeared in court via video link from HMP Wealstun, where he is serving a 40-week prison sentence imposed on May 18 for three offences of shop theft, burglary, harassment and assault.

Ayesha Smart, mitigating said: "The defendant is the breadwinner for his family. He worked at Superdrug in the warehouse and provided for his family."

Judge Andrew Stubbs QC handed Hunter-Smith a 12-month prison sentence, which will start when his current sentence ends.

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Thank you

Laura Collins