A MAN from Colwyn Bay was spared jail after an attack he was involved in left the victim unconscious, before causing criminal damage at St Asaph Police Station.
Rob Rawlinson, 29, of Isfryn, Old Colwyn, was handed an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for one year, at Mold Crown Court today (May 18).
Jordan Cross, 28, of Llys Onnen, Llandudno Junction was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment for his involvement in the same attack.
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Prosecuting, Brett Williamson told the court that, on September 17, 2022, police were alerted to an incident on Station Road, Colwyn Bay.
Closed circuit television footage showed multiple males attacking an injured man, in an assault which appeared to have been instigated by Cross and two other unknown men.
Rawlinson then joined in with the attack soon after.
Cross was seen pushing the injured male aggressively to the ground, and an unknown man he was with then kicked him to his torso.
He was then kicked directly to the face by Cross, before punched on multiple occasions as he got back to his feet.
After being punched in the face by Cross, he was hit from behind to the torso by Rawlinson, who then threw him to the ground.
A second unknown male was then seen kicking him several times to the head and body while on the ground.
Cross had to be held back by an unidentified male, while Rawlinson stamped on his head while he was on the floor.
The incident resulted in the injured male, who did not make a formal complaint and so could not be identified, losing consciousness.
After the assault was broken up, the defendants appeared to be in “high spirits”, as they were seen “hugging and high-fiving one another”.
Rawlinson was later arrested, and was described as being “agitated” and “unpredictable” while at St Asaph Police Station.
While handcuffed to the front when presented at a custody desk, he headbutted the glass pane separating him from an officer, causing it to crack.
Cross was also arrested after he, too, was later identified.
Rawlinson told police that he was intoxicated at the time of the attack, and that the injured male had been “winding him up earlier in the pub”.
At the time of the attack, Cross was on licence following his release from prison for a 14-month sentence for battery, together with other related offences.
He had four previous convictions for 10 offences, while Rawlinson’s only conviction was for an unrelated motoring matter.
Defending Cross, Sarah Yates said he “was doing extremely well” on his licence prior to this incident.
He had “pulled his socks up”, finding stabled accommodation and a full-time job.
Cross said he had a “very poor and limited recollection of what happened” due to his intoxication.
But he was to be “ashamed” of his actions, which he “fully regrets”.
Defending Rawlinson, Richard Edwards said he had shown “genuine remorse” and was also “ashamed, as he should be, for his actions”.
He saw the victim of the attack the following day and immediately apologised to him, Mr Edwards said.
Rawlinson is now a “totally different person”, Mr Edwards said, having “grown up and matured” in the intervening period.
Mr Edwards added that he has had full care of his two young children since their mother “appears to have washed her hands” of them.
He has also stopped drinking alcohol since the incident.
Sentencing, Judge Saffman told the defendants: “It was a horrific attack. Just put yourself, and the people you love, in the position of that man on the floor.”
Rawlinson was also ordered to carry out 25 days’ rehabilitation activity requirements.
He will pay a £200 fine, £495 in compensation, a statutory surcharge of £187, and costs of £100.
Judge Saffman told him: “If I were to send you to prison today, there would be significant harm to your children.”
To Cross, Judge Saffman said: “It’s clear you were one of the people who instigated and started all of this violence.
“I’m really disappointed that I’m not able to suspend your sentence. My hands are tied.
“You had made such good progress before this had happened.
“I’m imposing a sentence which will not crush you. Do not lose hope, get your head down, and get out on the other side.”
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