A thug who turned up to court intoxicated was left in tears after he and his fellow attacker narrowly avoided prison for an alcohol induced brawl at Manchester Airport.
Liam Roof, 25, and James Robson, 26, both from Stockport, had been drinking with a man in the airport bus station before things turned violent, Minshull Street Crown Court heard.
The court heard the victim instigated the violent exchange following the CCTV footage which showed the group, drinking, shadow boxing with a roll mat and dancing, but was left on the receiving end of a two on one attack as members of the public walked past. Footage from the attack on March 2, 2022, played to the court showed Roof and Robson brutally attack their victim.
After the victim was floored when backing away from the pair, Roof kicked and stomped the victim 12 times while Robson simultaneously struck him with 16 punches to the head, the court was told. He was left with multiple bruises to the head.
READ MORE: How the sudden deaths of two friends brought large parts of Greater Manchester to a standstill
Saul Brody, prosecuting, said Greater Manchester Police were alerted to the incident at 3.48am but arrived to find no trace of the men. After reviewing CCTV evidence they apprehended Roof and Robson - who weren't getting a flight but had ended up at the airport after a drinking session - in Terminal 2, the court heard.
“Officer Harrison noticed Mr Robson had blood and cuts on his knuckles,” the prosecution said. “Roof was seen kicking and stomping on the head.
“Robson repeatedly punched him in the face. The victim was left with bruising to the left side of his head.”
Both Roof, of Tarvin Road, Cheadle, Stockport, and Robson of Shawcross Street, Stockport, had previously admitted to affray at a previous court hearing.
Mitigating on behalf of Robson, Alistair Reid said the reason his client turned up to court drunk on Friday afternoon (February 3) was because he was “utterly terrified at the prospect of custody”. He told the court that before today Robson had been complying with the probation and showing progress refraining from alcohol.
“In essence, this is a man that needs to grow up,” Mr Reid told the court. “He is a man who needs to sort his life out.
“He had been doing very well addressing his drinking. He needs help and up until today he has been cooperating very well.”
Mr Reid said that Robson wants to be a role model for his young son. Explaining why, a bleary eyed Robson told the court: “I’m sorry, and sorry to my son as well”.
Appearing on behalf of Roof, Stuart Neale stated that his client had tried to calm down the victim before the attack. Mr Neale claimed it was “the victim who was the round peg in a square hole in this”. He did admit that like Robson, Roof also has troubles with alcohol - alluding to an incident of disorder at Parrs Wood bowling alley in Didsbury in August 2022, which got them banned from the premises.
Mr Neale said that neither men were getting a flight but just 'ended up at the airport drinking'. Addressing the incident of affray, Mr Neale said that in the CCTV “you can see Roof trying to be his [the victim's] friend and calming him down”. He went on to say that “the last place he needs to be is prison” after sharing with the court that mental health troubles through the coronavirus lockdown had led to Roof attempting suicide four times between September 2021 and May 2022.
The judge, Mr Recorder Michael Blakey, accepted after viewing video footage the victim “does shoulder some blame” but outlined that ‘it doesn’t justify the violent attack’.
Robson burst into tears in the dock as the judge spared both men jail, sentening them to eight months in prison suspended for 18 months. They also ordered to wear an alcohol abstinence monitoring tag - which alerts probation when they are drinking - for six months. Roof was also ordered to undertake a thinking skills programme.
For more of today's top stories click here.
READ NEXT:
Fury as 'Coronation Street' rapist 'due to be released as early as next month'
Factory International named one of best things to see in WORLD
Greater Manchester hospital in 'critical incident' for second day
Nicola Bulley search update as police release new photo of potential witness in hunt for missing mum
Date released for third and final report from Arena bombing public inquiry
