Kettering thugs spared from prison after booting victim in the head

Three Kettering thugs who kicked a man in the head as he lay helpless on the ground have been spared from prison.

Brothers Travis Fenwick (19) and Ryan Tomlinson (28), as well as acclaimed journalist Jake Hanrahan (30), were all given a second chance at Northampton Crown Court yesterday (Friday) after the sickening attack in Montagu Street.

The victim, now aged 20, was left with a broken tooth and cuts to his face and was fortunate not to suffer more serious injuries.

The court heard the three criminals had been out drinking in the early hours of July 7 last year when Fenwick, of Neale Avenue, was thrown out of Abacus nightclub and had to be restrained after a scuffle with bouncers.

They encountered another group in Montagu Street, including the victim, and words were exchanged. The court heard claims another man in the group, who has not been identified, had called the trio 'p******', that drugs had been offered and that threats had been made.

But over the course of a few minutes a fight erupted with all three aiming at least one kick towards the victim's head.

Tomlinson threw the first punch and Hanrahan tried to intervene before the pair threw more punches and could be seen aiming kicks towards the victim.

Fenwick then walked back across the road and kicked him in the head.

The whole attack was captured on high quality CCTV.

Prosecutor Noel Philo said: "It was unjustified, three on one.

"They put the boot in...it was the putting of the boot in that makes it serious."

Unexplained delays meant the violent trio were not charged until March, with further delays because of the Covid-19 pandemic meaning it was "hanging over their heads" for almost 18 months.

All three admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm when they appeared before magistrates.

Liam Muir, mitigating for Fenwick, said the teenager was disgusted by his actions and had found himself "in a moment of madness".

He added: "This (the prospect of going to prison) has scared the living daylights out of him."

Mr Muir also represented Tomlinson, who had previously been locked up in 2012 for a similar offence.

He said he had gone off the rails but managed to get himself out of a spiral, and had kept himself on the right side of the law since the attack.

Mr Muir said: "He has managed to prove himself and stay out of trouble."

The court heard "breathtaking" character references had been submitted in support of Hanrahan, who has reported on wars and conflict around the world.

Other journalists and even a member of staff at the United States Armed Services Committee wrote to sing his praises ahead of his sentencing at Northampton Crown Court yesterday.

Mitigating, Ian Henderson said Hanrahan was disgusted by his own actions.

He said: "I am not sure he can quite grasp himself how he behaved on that evening...it's so out of kilter with every other part of his life."

Sentencing, Recorder William Davis ruled that the trio shouldn't be sent to prison after hearing that there was a real prospect of rehabilitation.

He said: "It is extremely fortunate in this case that there was no serious injuries caused."

Fenwick, of Neale Avenue, was sentenced to five months detention, suspended for 18 months.

Tomlinson, of Rockingham Road, was jailed for six months, suspended for 18 months.

Hanrahan, of Silverwood Road, was given a community order. Recorder Davis said he played a lesser role in the incident.

All three must complete 250 hours of unpaid work and pay their victim £100 in compensation, as well as court costs of £425.

Tomlinson will also have to wear a tag for the next three months and Fenwick will have to take part in rehabilitation activities.