Group sentenced after 'sickening' assault on man in Coventry

A group of thugs, who carried out what police are calling a sickening attack on a man in Coventry, have been sentenced.

Akash Kumar, Macauley Smith, Riley Kavanagh, Thomas Jackson, Lewis Friel, Liam Askew and Connor Moore were all part of a senseless attack in the city in March 2019.

In the early hours of that day, the victim and his friend had been walking home from a night out, when the group approached them and began making comments about him.

When he responded, he was pushed by Jackson to the ground.

Now surrounded by the group, he was punched, kicked and stamped on.

At this point, his friend tried to stand in the way to protect him but was pushed to the floor by Kavanagh, who himself joined in the attack.

TOP ROW: Kumar, Smith, Jackson | BOTTOM ROW: Moore, Askew, Friel, Kavanagh

The sickening attack left the man unconscious with life-changing injuries of a broken nose, broken cheekbone, bruising, nerve damage and blurred vision.

The group fled the scene following the attack, but a social media CCTV appeal was issued identifying Smith and Friel, along with Askew and Kavanagh

Moore and Jackson contacted police themselves having seen their faces in the appeal. Kumar was arrested several months later.

The group were sentenced on 7 July to the following:

• Liam Askew: 28 months in prison for violent disorder and section 20 assault.

• Lewis Friel: Five years in prison for wounding and two years concurrent for violent disorder.

• Thomas Jackson: Five years and eight months in prison for wounding plus 27 months concurrent for violent disorder.

• Riley Kavanagh: Four years in prison consecutively with an existing nine-year term for wounding.

• Akaash Kumar: To be sentenced on 21 July at Warwick Crown Court.

• Connor Moore: Five years in prison for wounding plus two years concurrent for violent disorder.

• Macauley Smith: Two years and two months in prison for violent disorder plus 20 months concurrent for grievous bodily harm.

Investigating officer PC Sunny Sahota said: "This was a horrific and violent attack in which the victim was set upon by the group like a pack of wild animals, leaving him unconscious.

"The victim has had to endure this for four years but now has finally got justice.

"We hope he finally has closure and can move forward with his life."

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