Teenager, 18, who joined racist mob attacking victim with a screwdriver while high on ketamine is spared prison after judge hears he has applied to join the Army
A teenager who joined a racist mob that attacked a man with a screwdriver has been spared prison after the judge heard he had applied to join the Army.
Harry Holcroft, 18, was high on ketamine when he joined Jack Mather and Dillon Smith, both aged 19, in a 'revenge attack' on Shantosh Surendra.
The trio chased Mr Surendra from the Duke of Cambridge pub in St Helens town centre, near Liverpool at about 4.30am on October 21 last year.
Once cornered they racially abused, punched, kicked and stamped on Mr Surendra before stabbing him multiple times with a screwdriver and puncturing one of his lungs.
However, Holcroft was spared a sentence of immediate custody over the incident after Liverpool Crown Court heard he had been 'taking substantial steps to improve' himself by applying to the Army.
Harry Holcroft was part of a mob who chased Shantosh Surendra from the Duke of Cambridge pub in St Helens town centre, near Liverpool, at about 4.30am on October 21 last year
Jack Mather, 19, a member of the group which punched, kicked and stamped on Mr Surendra, received 22 months' detention
Gerry Baxter, prosecuting, described how Mr Surendra also suffered numerous stab wounds during the 'prolonged and persistent' attack, leaving him with a collapsed lung and 'blood dripping down his back and arms'.
However, an investigation was unable to determine which of the attackers had inflicted these injuries.
Mather, of Gerards Lane in St Helens, and Smith, of Lakemoor Close in the town, were said to have known Mr Surendra for about 10 years before a falling-out in 2023.
All four men had been drinking in the pub on the night in question when he noticed the defendants 'giving him the side eye' before they followed him onto New Cross Street at closing time.
Mr Baxter said: 'Mr Surendra started to run, because he knew the three men wanted trouble. As he ran, they ran after him and cut him off.
'One of them said they wanted to speak to him, but they started kicking and punching him. Mr Surendra saw Mather take something from his waistband, a screwdriver or something similar.
'Mr Surendra was stabbed to his back and his chest. The men were shouting 'p***' and 'n****r'.
'They knocked him to the floor and continued to stab, kick and stamp on him.. They also called him a nonce.
'When the attack stopped, Mr Surendra got to his feet and found the blood was dripping down his back and arms.
'He felt dizzy. Fortunately for him, he was spotted by police officers who were patrolling in a police car.'
A jacket with Mr Surendra's blood on it was later seized from Holcroft's home on Lowfield Lane in St Helens.
All three defendants answered no comment under interview except for Smith who, when shown a CCTV image of himself, Mather and Holcroft at a nearby taxi rank, said: 'I am just telling you now, that picture, whatever you were saying, got f*** all.
'I'm just on that picture going home so whatever you want to try and do with that, you can. But that's it.'
Dillon Smith, 19, also received 22 months' detention. Gerry Baxter, prosecuting, described how Mr Surendra also suffered numerous stab wounds during the 'prolonged and persistent' attack, leaving him with a collapsed lung and 'blood dripping down his back and arms'
Liverpool Crown Court. All three defendants answered no comment under interview except for Smith who, when shown a CCTV image of himself, Mather and Holcroft at a nearby taxi rank, said: 'I am just telling you now, that picture, whatever you were saying, got f*** all'
Carmel Wilde, defending Holcroft, told the court: 'The defendant is still a young man. He was previously of good character.
'It is a joint enterprise case, and all three were involved in this shocking attack. He wants to apologise to the complainant.
'He is disgusted with himself and has said that Mr Surendra could have died.. There seems to have been some misplaced loyalty to his older associates.
'He is a rather mild mannered young man. He has foolishly involved himself in someone else's feud.
'Jack Mather was obviously seeking revenge for what he thought the complainant had done. The defendant was the last to arrive and foolishly involved himself.'
Ms Wilde told the court that her client had previously worked in a warehouse and had to decline a job offer from McDonald's due to his electronically monitored curfew.
The lawyer: 'He could not be flexible and had to decline that offer of employment. He has completed an application form online for the Army, and is due to attend an interview soon.
'He is also due to start college in September and looking to undertake an apprenticeship. He is a young man who is trying to better himself and who has stopped taking drugs.
'That played a part in his poor decision making that evening. He has not been in trouble before and there is still hope that he can continue to improve his job prospects.'
Holcroft was found guilty of unlawful wounding by a jury following a trial but cleared of the more serious offence of wounding with intent and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.
He was handed an 18-month jail term suspended for 18 months along with 150 hours of unpaid work and a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 20 days.
Mather and Smith previously received 22 months in a young offenders' institute after admitting unlawful wounding.
Sentencing Holcroft, Judge David Potter said: 'You joined in that chase, albeit I am sure half heartedly and out of misplaced loyalty to people you hardly knew.
'You joined in that assault. It cannot be said that you inflicted any wounds on Mr Surendra but it is clear that, as a result of this group attack on an unarmed man, he suffered puncture wounds - probably caused by a screwdriver.
'He was fortunate. He was able to walk away.
'There is no evidence of any long term injury. You were substantially affected by ketamine and alcohol.
'Mather and Smith each received 22 months' detention, although both had previous convictions and played a greater role in the attack. You are the youngest of the three.
'You express significant remorse for becoming involved in someone else's argument. You have not offended since and have taken substantial steps to improve yourself.
'In your case, I take an exceptional course and suspend the sentence because I am satisfied that this is your first offence and there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation. There is strong personal mitigation.
'Your actions have placed you at substantial risk of immediate detention in a young offenders' institute. You would not be so fortunate if you were foolish enough to involve yourself in further criminal activity.
'I will remember the 8th of July, the day on which I have given you an opportunity. If you commit any further offences, pack your bags.'
