Assault victim was 'nearly kicked to death'

A New Year reveller was nearly kicked to death in a vicious attack outside Stafford jail, a court heard.

Motor mechanic Andrew Salt had his skull fractured, his back and ribs broken and both cheekbones fractured when he was kicked in the head by Callum Poxton.

The victim's "horrific" injuries put him on a life support system in hospital for three days and he has still not fully recovered, Stafford Crown Court was told.

Mr Salt, aged 44, was one of four people assaulted in a spate of "cowardly violence" in a matter of minutes, involving Poxton and two cronies, Hazen Udall and Army deserter Luke Bird.

Poxton was given a custodial sentence of more than five years for his part in the attacks.

Mr Stephen Thomas, prosecuting, said that the violence was started by Udall just after 2am on New Year's Day this year with an assault on Terry Kibble, when Udall crossed the road and punched him in the face.

The gang of three then walked away laughing.

Moments later, further up the road, Mr Salt was confronted by the three, but it was only Poxton who actually hit him, kicking him to the head.

As Mr Salt lay bleeding in the road, a Good Samaritan passer-by was threatened by the defendants to "leave him alone", but still went to give assistance.

Recorder Mr Richard Bond branded the trio "cowards and bullies".

He told Poxton: "Mr Salt's injuries were horrific. I am not exaggerating when I say he could easily have died.

"You ought to be ashamed of yourself."

The violence did not end there - two men out with a girlfriend were threatened and Poxton also hit them.

Police found Bird's mobile phone at the scene.

"Bird was a serving solider at the time, but hadn't returned to his unit, so technically he was a deserter," said Mr Thomas.

Poxton, aged 20, of Lindon Drive, Brownhills, was given a total of 64 months young offender custody.

He admitted wounding Mr Salt with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and two charges of assault causing actual bodily harm.

Bird, also 20, of Betjeman Walk, Stafford, who admitted affray, was ordered to do 100 hours unpaid community work and pay £500 costs.

Udall, aged 20, of Wellington Road, Bilston, was given nine months young offender custody after admitting common assault and affray.

In addition, he was also curfewed for three months, and ordered to pay £100 compensation to Mr Kibble and £300 costs.