A man suffering from a drug-induced psychosis grabbed a child in Easton and assaulted him. Yusef Ulusow claimed to be a friend of the 10-year-old's dad, Bristol Crown Court heard. After he struck the youngster in Warwick Avenue a group of people intervened. Ulusow was arrested and was remanded in custody.
Ulusow, 46, of Old Bread Street in St Philips, pleaded guilty to assault on September 5 last year. He denied attempted child abduction and that charge was left to lie on file. Ulusow was remanded in custody some eight months ago, during which he received treatment at Blackberry Hill Hospital deemed to be effective.
This meant that his time on remand exceeded the six months maximum sentence for his offence. Judge William Hart handed him a 12 months community order with a rehabilitation requirement.
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He told Ulusow: "I would not normally pass a community order in a case like this. Because of time served on remand it would be of greater assistance to you to have help from the probation service. That would be the best way of trying to prevent you getting involved in further trouble."
James Tucker, prosecuting, said the child was in Warwick Avenue around 4pm when Ulusow beckoned him over. He told the boy he was a friend of his dad.
Mr Tucker said: "The defendant tried to take him with him and took him by the scruff of his T-shirt. The boy realised something was wrong, he wanted to go home, and there was a physical struggle."
The court heard Ulusow struck the boy's head before the boy managed to run home. A group of men then approached Ulusow, surrounded him and police were called.
Ulusow denied wrongdoing when interviewed. He told police he was the victim of an attempted robbery by a group of men but conceded speaking with the child.
The court heard Ulusow had six convictions for 10 previous offences. These include theft from shops, anti-social behaviour and public order offences.
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