Thugs avoid jail after 'planned' Christmas Day attack
Thugs who used their fists, feet and a rounders bat to attack two men following an argument on Christmas Day have been handed suspended prison sentences.
Ikram Dad, aged 45, and his nephew Zain Dad, 24, repeatedly reigned blows on the pair in the "sustained" attack said to have lasted 20 minutes, leaving them both unconscious.
The older man had been with the victims at Millionaires Snooker Club in Bilston on the evening of Christmas Eve 2017 before all three men left together in his Mercedes, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.
On the way home, one of his passengers felt ill and asked Dad to stop the car so that he could get out for a few minutes. But while both men were out of the vehicle, Dad drove off leaving them stranded.
One of the men claimed Dad had departed with £1,400 of his property, including jewellery, house keys and a phone, the court heard.
There followed a series of calls, which resulted in a confrontation that also involved Dad's nephew, Zain, then aged 23, and two cousins.
Smashed-up Micra
The gang kicked and punched the men, using a variety of weapons including a rounders bat, that rendered them both unconscious. Ikram Dad was also said to have smashed their Nissan Micra with the bat.
Mr Paul Spratt, prosecuting, described it as a "plainly planned group attack" which took place in a quiet residential street near the defendants' homes in the early hours of Christmas Day.
Mr Richard Gibb, defending Zain Dad, accepted that it was an "organised enterprise" but argued his client's role was as a "subordinate".
The court heard that the younger man, in his third year of a law degree, had had his hopes of becoming a solicitor crushed as a result of the conviction, his first.
The judge read eight testimonies describing him as pleasant, helpful and supportive.
Previous convictions
Ikram Dad had 20 convictions involving 61 offences, mostly for dishonesty, but had turned his life around in recent years, said Mr David Iles, defending him.
The victims had suffered pain, swelling and bruising but "fortunately no broken bones", he added.
The defendants had each pleaded not guilty to two charges of assault but were found guilty after trial.
Judge James Burbidge, QC, told them "You persisted in your denials but the jury saw through your lies."
Ikram Dad, of, Miner Street, Walsall, was sentenced to 18 months in prison suspended for 18 months and ordered to carry out 80 hours unpaid work in the community.
As part of his rehabilitation he will also have to take part in a thinking skills programme.
Zain Dad, who lives in the same street, was given a 12-month sentence suspended for 12 months and ordered to observe a 9pm – 7am curfew for two months.
The judge ordered both men to pay £200 to each of their victims.
