Bus stop man was kicked in theft bid

A thug repeatedly kicked an innocent man waiting for a bus during a vicious gang attack, a court heard. Jay Kerr, aged 21, punched his victim to the floor.

Then he and three accomplices – one a 17-year-old girl – tried to steal a bag and mobile phone.

The victim, in his 20s, had been standing alone at a stop in Princess Square, Bilston, when he was attacked. The beating, which left the victim with severe bruising on his face and sores on his body, stopped when the bus arrived and the gang ran off.

Kerr, of no fixed address, had admitted attempted robbery at an earlier hearing. Yesterday at Wolverhampton Crown Court he was placed on a two-year community order.

Michael Anning, prosecuting, said the attack happened at 11.20pm on July 31 when the girl asked the man for money. Mr Anning said: "He was pushed to the ground where he was kicked and beaten. He was shouting for help throughout the whole ordeal."

Sally Hancox, for Kerr, said Kerr was not the instigator but had merely gone along with friends. The whole assault was captured on CCTV footage, which was played to the court

Kerr, a diagnosed schizophrenic who has previous convictions for cruelty to animals and drug possession, had served 107 days behind bars while awaiting the hearing. Kerr's three accomplices were dealt with at earlier hearings.