Plymouth gunners avoid jail term for GBH to serve country
A PAIR of Plymouth-based commando gunners who subjected a clubber to a savage kicking have been spared jail so they can carry on fighting for their country.
Karl Sugg and Daniel Sutton were on a night out after training when they set on victim Gary McAllen and left him with mouth injuries and seven teeth knocked out.
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He tried to flee a mob of four or five men by climbing through a hedge but was grabbed and kicked so hard that an imprint of Sugg's shoe was left on his face.
Sutton was heard to shout "we done him" as the group emerged from the alley where the seriously injured man had been left with blood pouring from his mouth.
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Sugg, 24, and Sutton, 22, who serve with the 29 Commando of the Royal Artillery at Plymouth, had been drinking in Okehampton when the attack happened.
Both men were told they had escaped prison by a whisker after senior officers pleaded for them to receive suspended sentences which would enable them to continue their military careers.
Sugg and Sutton, both of the Royal Citadel in Plymouth, admitted causing grievous bodily harm in the attack a year ago. They were both jailed for 18 months, suspended for two years, ordered to do 200 hours unpaid community work and to pay £3,500 compensation and £700 costs each.
Judge Erik Salomonsen told them: "It is quite clear if I send you to prison you will lose your careers and the nation will lose your service. If you do not you will face action for bringing your regiment into disrepute.
"There is no doubt at all your conduct is disgraceful and that you have brought a fine regiment into disrepute."
Mr Nigel Wraith, prosecuting, said the incident started when Mr McAllen confronted Sugg outside the Pretoria Vaults club over an incident involving his brother.
Mr McAllen initially chased Sugg but others got involved and the victim tried to flee down an alley and was set upon.
A shoe print matching Sugg's footwear was found on his forehead and his blood found on the toe of the shoe from a kick to the face.
Mr Tom Bradnock, for Sugg, and Mr Gareth Evans, for Sutton, said they both had promising careers with their regiment. Mr Evans said: "If they go to prison they will be dishonourably discharged, with all that means. It would be a loss not just to them but to us as a community because we really need young men like this to represent the country in times of trouble."
18 Comments
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by Melchard
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 7:17PM
“The offenders should face the same consequences as anyone else.
Being in the military is not a 'get out of gaol card'...”
by mcspredder
Sunday, January 27 2013, 11:01PM
“A better decision could have been a small help in reducing service numbers/helping MOD budget deficit.”
by Molochius
Sunday, January 27 2013, 2:52PM
“`We should hold them high and consider them to be above us in all deeds. `
No we shouldn't respect has to be earnt......not automatically gained by putting on a uniform. I respect people based on who they are not what profession they happen to be a part of.”
by olddogbreath
Sunday, January 27 2013, 12:09PM
“We are all equal under the law, not really true is it?
No wonder the public are losing respect for authority. It is not just celebrities who are role models, it is servicemen who march down Royal Parade. We should hold them high and consider them to be above us in all deeds. These blokes comrades must feel severely let down by their behaviour. It really shows the standards of the officers who represent them that they condone this outrageous attitude to the society thy serve.”
by kostyatszyu
Sunday, January 27 2013, 5:50AM
“"we really need young men like this to represent the country" ha haa! this is fantastic! if i didnt laugh id be disgusted”
by tracye182006
Saturday, January 26 2013, 11:19PM
“here we go again another group of serving mility getting away with crime because of their job may we go back to the gentelman who decided to drink and drive mount the pavement seriously injuring pedestrians and getting away with it come on what is wrong with the system if they commit crime they should do time”
by Molochius
Saturday, January 26 2013, 9:22PM
“and why oh why every time a serviceman committing a crime happens is ptsd brought up? its an insult to those who truly suffer from it”
by Molochius
Saturday, January 26 2013, 9:21PM
“Both men were told they had escaped prison by a whisker after senior officers pleaded for them to receive suspended sentences which would enable them to continue their military careers.
hmm isnt the justice system meant to be equal for all? if they wanted their `military careers` they should have thought before attacking this bloke, love the fact that senior officers in the military apparently have sway over the law of the land as well? a complete mockery of the justice system, join the army get a get out of jail free card, once again!”
by mjohn
Saturday, January 26 2013, 1:50PM
“Justice no longer belongs to those who have had acts committed against them. Justice is having the "right" connections. How else would this travesty of justice happened or the Bankers that created a worldwide recession get away with it.
Under our Current Government we will continue to see Injustice dressed up as Justice.”
by TheRedeemer89
Saturday, January 26 2013, 1:18PM
“Since when did military service count as a get out of jail free card? This is an unjust ruling and will only serve as an encouragement to other servicemen that it's ok to be violent. A disappointing read indeed”