Bradford men sentenced over street violence in Halifax

Lewis McTasney and Thomas Hoddy had been out in the town with others celebrating the recent 18th birthday of friend Pharrell Ezadkhast when they were all involved in a confrontation with two other men in the Crown Street area of Halifax.

The incident at about 5.30am on New Year’s Eve 2022 was captured on CCTV footage which was played to a judge at Bradford Crown Court.

In the footage, the complainant could be seen trying to calm things down when the group confronted his friend and as he retreated down the street he had his hands held in the air indicating that he did not want any trouble.

The incident happened in the Crown Street area of Halifax town centre (Image: Google Street View)

But after Ezadkhast pushed the victim in the chest Hoddy headbutted him before McTasney punched him to the side of the head with what prosecutor Philip Adams described as “a cheap shot” which the complainant didn’t see coming.

The CCTV captured the moment that the complainant was felled by the single punch and he could be seen slumped unconscious on the ground after the attack.

The injured man was taken by ambulance to hospital where he was found to have suffered bilateral fractures to his jaw and he had to undergo an operation to have metal plates inserted to stabilise the damage.

In a victim impact statement, the complainant said he had now been left with a scar which he felt self-conscious about and he now felt insecure when out socialising.

McTasney, 19, of Gaythorne Terrace, Bradford, and 20-year-old Hoddy, of Green Lane, Bradford, both admitted a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm in relation to the “joint enterprise” assault.

Ezadkhast, now also 19, formerly of Royd Street, Bradford, pleaded guilty to a charge of threatening behaviour.

Judge Colin Burn was told that none of the defendants had any previous convictions and none of them had been in any further trouble since December 2022.

The court heard that Ezadkhast had now moved to the North East and he had been devastated by what happened to the complainant.

Hoddy’s barrister James Holding submitted that his client only got involved when he saw a commotion and “alcohol and bravado” had taken over.

Barrister Ella Embleton, for McTasney, said the incident had been out of character and her client lacked maturity at the time.

The case was heard at Bradford Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

She said McTasney was genuinely remorseful and prepared to take part in a restorative justice programme which gives victims the opportunity to question defendants about their actions.

Judge Burn said all three defendants had been “worse for wear” after drinking that night and they were all teenagers at the time.

He said the CCTV footage had been “a depressing watch” with Hoddy for example dancing around on his toes, drunk and up for some violence.

“I’m quite sure when you went out on the night in question that wasn’t something any of you had in mind but these things happen when people have too much to drink,” the judge told the trio.

Ezadkhast was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 180 hours unpaid work for the community.

He must also pay £250 compensation to their victim.

McTasney and Hoddy were each sentenced to 12 months in a young offenders institution, but the term was suspended for two years.

McTasney must do 180 hours unpaid work along with up to 50 rehabilitation activity requirement days and pay £500 compensation.

Hoddy has to do 260 hours unpaid work and also pay £500 compensation.

The judge said it had been an unprovoked attack leaving their victim with metal plates and a scar that would last forever and the compensation orders were a reminder to each of them of the damage they had done individually and collectively to him.