A drug dealer punched, kicked and stamped on a man during a vicious assault involving nine other people and left the victim with a broken nose. He was later found in possession of a drugs phone line which proved he had been selling cocaine and heroin.
Alfie Phillips, 22, attacked Joshua Watkins along with Taylor Blackley, 22, in Newport, on May 16, 2019. A sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court on Wednesday heard both defendants were part of a group that took part in the assault on Mr Watkins.
Judge Richard Williams said: "You led an unprovoked group attack on Joshua Watkins during which he was repeatedly punched, kicked and stamped on. There were nine of you in the group but not all of you took part in the attack. (Mr Watkins) had bruises, facial injuries and his nose was broken as a result."
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Prosecutor Ieuan Rees said Phillips was also found to be a drug dealer when police raided his home in September 2021. They discovered a phone which was a known drugs line and had been passed onto the defendant when the original dealer had been imprisoned. On the phone were messages which proved Phillips had been dealing cocaine and heroin between July 13, 2021, and September 24, 2021.
Phillips, of Ringwood Place, Newport, and Blackley, of Broad Mead Park, Newport, were both found guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Phillips also pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.
The court heard Phillips had previous convictions for violence and drug-related offences, and was sentenced to 24 months detention in 2018 for supplying heroin. Since the assault offence, Blackley had been sentenced for 27-months detention for controlling and coercive behaviour and a further 27-months for drug related offences. He was also serving an 18-month suspended sentence at the time of the assault.
Defence barrister Heath Edwards, for Phillips, said there had been a significant delay in the case with the assault taking place more than three years ago. He said the defendant was 19 at the time and had been using his time in custody constructively.
Judge Williams sentenced Phillips to a total of six years imprisonment and sentenced Blackley to 12 months imprisonment suspended for 12 months, and ordered him to pay a £50 fine and £500 in compensation to Mr Watkins. Both defendants were made subject to a restraining order.
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