Hatfield man jailed after repeatedly punching pensioner
The victim suffered a fractured eye socket
A Hatfield man has been jailed following two violent incidents, including repeatedly punching a man in his 70s, fracturing his eye socket.
21 year old Thierry Wilkerson of Feather Dell, has been sentenced to a total of two years and six months in prison for the offences.
He received a 30 month sentence for a GBH which took place on 1 April 2023 and a 10 month sentence for his role in an affray which happened on 13 June 2022. These are to be served concurrently.
'A shocking and cruel attack'
Hertfordshire Police were called out to Hatfield town centre on the 1st of April following reports of an altercation.
Wilkerson had been illegally riding an e-scooter when the victim – a man in his 70s – asked him to get off the vehicle. Wilkerson got off the scooter and then began filming the victim, causing him to feel distress. The victim grabbed Wilkerson’s phone and asked him to stop.
Wilkerson then became aggressive and began punching the victim repeatedly, causing a fractured eye socket and multiple other injuries. Members of the public gave first aid before the emergency services arrived to take over.
Wilkerson was arrested the next day.
Less than a year before, Wilkerson had been involved in another violent incident and he was on bail for this offence at the time of the GBH.
On the afternoon of 13 June 2022, police were called to reports of a fight involving a large group of people in Hatfield town centre.
A total of nine people were arrested, including Wilkerson who was seen to a kick a dog during the incident.
Four people were injured with two being taken to hospital.
Detective Inspector Alexandra Bruzas, from the Welwyn Hatfield Local Crime Unit, said: “This is a significant result and I hope the public are pleased by it. The fact that Wilkerson committed the GBH whilst on bail for affray says a lot about his character.
“The attack on the elderly man was shocking and cruel. In contrast to Wilkerson’s bullying behaviour, a number of Good Samaritans came to the victim’s rescue offering help and I commend those individuals.
“I have no doubt that both the GBH and the affray would have been a traumatic sight for the innocent residents simply going about their business in the town centre.
“Residents can now be assured that Wilkerson will not be committing any further crimes as he spends his time in prison.”
Six others have already been sentenced in connection with the affray incident.