Drunk teenagers kicked and stomped on unconscious teenagers

Connor Mitchinson, then 17, and Ethan Laws, 19, ambushed and attacked their victim, who they thought was “strange.”

They then beat him repeatedly before dragging him to the ground, where they kicked and kicked him even though he lay unconscious.

Durham Crown Court was shown CCTV footage of the incident, which took place at 9.30pm on 8 May this year in Pondsway, Consett.

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Even as the victim lay on the ground, apparently unconscious, the force of the kicks was such that Mitchinson’s shoe was thrown off his foot across the street.

They could then be seen walking away calmly, leaving their victim lying on the street.

James Yearsley, prosecutor, said the CCTV operator alerted police when the incident happened so officers could be on the scene quickly to expedite medical treatment for the victim.

Mr Yearsley said the couple had just walked away from the scene when officers first arrived but they were tracked down and arrested at Tower House, a nearby assisted living unit where both were living at the time.

When questioned by the police, neither of them commented.

Mr Yearsley said the offense was compounded by the fact that both were under the influence of alcohol and drugs and that Mitchinson had only appeared in court three days earlier and been convicted of assaulting an emergency responder, for which he received a parole.

Mitchinson, now 18, as well as from North End, Durham, and Laws, from Fir Terrace, Esh Winning, admitted at previous hearings to attempting unlawful bodily harm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

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Laws’ Vic Laffey told the court that up until this incident, he had had only a very light conviction.

The crime was committed when he was released on bail for a disturbance at a family birthday party in February, leaving him to live in the Consett accommodation unit.

Mr Laffey said the center appeared to be “a bit of a powder keg” as other residents living there had alcohol, drug and welfare problems.

He said his client “who lacked maturity” had “clearly been drinking that day” which affected his actions, which could be “impulsive” at times.

Mr Laffey told the court: “He had a problem with binge drinking and an alcohol abstinence order may be a suitable option for him.”

But Mr Laffey said Laws now has alternative housing and is making progress with professional training.

Mitchinson’s Chris Morrison said he had mild learning and communication difficulties.

“But the background is a young person who, you have to say, is extremely immature and has a drinking problem.

“If a young lad can’t handle his drink, it’s an expression of his general immaturity.”

“He has little ability to control his drinking.

“As the sober realization of what he had done dawned on him, he was terrified of the consequences that might result.”

Mr Morrison said the accused had an offer to do roofing work for his father in Dorset if he wanted to avoid immediate jail time.

But Judge Jo Kidd said there must be a deterrent element in convictions for such offenses of public violence while intoxicated.

She said the victim, which she found “strange,” “didn’t do anything that the behavior inflicted on him deserved.”

Judge Kidd told them: “The two of you acted as a group and went for him like you did.

“You were like a pack of hyenas and as soon as he was on the ground you gave him numerous punches, kicks and kicks even when he was unconscious.

“It is fortunate that the police were there.

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“Heaven only knows what the impact of these head injuries would have been without quick action.

“Thankfully there were no fractures to the skull or face, but that was no credit to either of you.”

She sentenced them both to two years in a juvenile detention center, adding that if they hadn’t pleaded guilty, it would have been three years each.