Navenby teenager punched and kicked Royal Norwegian Air Force officer
A Navenby teenager who carried out a vicious and unprovoked attack on a Norwegian air force officer who was visiting Lincoln has been sentenced to 12 months in a young offenders institution.
Aaron Riley, 19, was caught on CCTV as he punched and kicked helpless Andreas Johansen during a two-minute attack in Lincoln High Street.
Lincoln Crown Court heard Mr Johansen suffered injuries including a bloody nose and was left “shocked and appalled” by the experience.
The court was told Mr Johansen had been socialising with a friend in the city and was returning to his hotel at around 2am when Riley launched his attack.
Andrew Scott, prosecuting, said: “Mr Johansen was walking towards the Stonebow when felt a sharp blow to the face come out of nowhere.
“That was the last thing he recalled until a police officer approached him and noticed his bloody nose.”
CCTV footage from north of the Stonebow showed Riley punching Mr Johansen to the ground, and then aiming further blows, kicks and stamps to his body.
“There were numerous kicks and stamps, and around 20 punches,” Mr Scott added.
Mr Johansen suffered a bloody nose, sore jaw, back pain and headaches but did not seek medical attention until he returned to Norway.
In a victim impact statement which was read out in court, Mr Johansenn, who serves with the Royal Norwegian Air Force, said he did nothing to provoke the attack.
Mr Johansen said: “I am a professional person. I am appalled at the behaviour of the other male and did not expect it to happen in Lincoln.”
In mitigation the court was told Riley helped to look after his elderly grandmother and was a hardworking apprentice mechanic.
Riley, of Addison Close, Navenby, admitted a charge of assault causing actual bodily harm on May 23.
Passing sentence Judge Michael Heath said it was miracle that Mr Johansen did not suffer more serious injuries.
Judge Heath said: “Mr Johansen was over here on business and making his way back to his hotel, acting peaceably.
“He found himself on the High Street just after 2am and was then subjected by you to a vicious, sustained and entirely unprovoked attack.”
Email to a friend
Print this page- Grantham Journal Picture of the Week
- Ambulance service fined £3.5 million after missing targets
- Mother’s plea for the return of items stolen from Grantham home
- EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Hardwick says he has no intention of resigning and has a good relationship with Neil Rhodes
- Grantham Journal Letter: ‘Poor political performance triggers cynicism’
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Grantham
Saturday 25 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 5 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 6 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: West
