|
Crime Desk
In what the police described as an "extremely violent" act, which left a man with a broken jaw and fighting for his life, two men were jailed at Wood Green Crown for the crime, with the judge saying during sentencing "there is absolutely no justification for kicking an unconscious man in the head."
Ufuk Yapici, 18.02.88 - 24 years, a security guard of West Hill Road, Brighton and Michael Wabara, 15.10.84 - 27 years, a photographer of Risley Avenue, N17 were convicted on 10 February having been found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
The court heard that at about 02:30 hours on 8 September 2024 the victim left a friend's house in Tottenham with a female companion and they started to make their way home, walking along Tottenham High Road.
As they passed a 24-hour supermarket, Yapici and Wabara were sat outside in a BMW. The defendants, who were unknown to the victim and his friend, shouted for the woman to go to the car.
When the victim tried to stop his friend going over to the two men, Yapici got out of the car and approached them and started pushing the victim. A member of the public tried to intervene, however Wabara joined in the attack, with both he and Yapici repeatedly punching the victim and leaving him unconscious in the street.
Some minutes later Yapici and Wabara returned to the scene and, on seeing the victim, who had now regained consciousness, got out of the car and chased him across the road into a supermarket. Inside the shop they repeatedly punched and kicked the victim to the floor, rendering him unconscious again, stamping on his head before leaving the scene.
Yapici handed himself in to police on 13 September following a witness appeal. Police searched his home and his vehicle and seized a distinctive football top that he was wearing during the attack and which still had blood on it. Yapici admitted the attack but claimed self defence. He was charged that same day with Section 18 GBH with intent.
Following extensive enquiries by Haringey CID, Wabara was identified as the second suspect and his details were circulated on police systems. On 11 October officers from Haringey's Crime Squad stopped Wabara in his car and arrested him. He was then identified by the victim in a video ID parade and subsequently charged with Section 18 GBH with intent.
At the trial, which commenced on 6 February 2012, Wabara and Yabici pleaded guilty to GBH section 20 (without intent). Police refused to accept this lesser plea and continued with a trial regarding intent. After a week-long trial at Wood Green Crown Court the jury were unanimious in finding both men guilty of Section 18 GBH with Intent.
They were sentenced on Friday, 16 March.
Investigating officer DC Amanda Christodoulou of Haringey CID said: "This was an extremely violent and unprovoked attack in which the suspects, not content to leave their victim lying unconscious in the street, returned to attack him again. Towards the end of the second attack, 6ft 5inch tall Wabara dragged the victim like a dead animal through the aisles and to the front of the shop before leaving him lying there unconscious with numerous injuries including a broken jaw.
"It is incredible that the victim survived such an onslaught of blows. We were never going to accept that the defendants did not intend to cause him serious injury.
"The victim may have largely recovered from his physical injuries, however this incident will doubtless have an impact on him beyond these. The victim showed his strength of character in testifying against the defendants and I hope that the conclusion of this case enables him to start to gain some closure in terms of what happened to him."
Detective Superintendent Stephen Clayman of Haringey said: "This successful conviction is as the result of the professionalism and tenacity of my officers who were determined to identify and apprehend those responsible for this violent assault. I would also like to pay tribute to the member of the public that tried to stop the attack and testified at court - with their support we have obtained a conviction against violent offenders.
"This illustrates the importance of the police and the public working together in tackling crime.
"Thanks to the actions of my officers and this member of the public, the defendants will not be able to walk the streets for some time to come."
On sentencing, Recorder S Williams stated that both men would be treated equally, as joint enterprise.
She said: "It was a sustained attack that was repeated. This was a vicious and violent attack."
Speaking to Wabara, Recorder S Williams said: "You rushed into that supermarket and you set about him with your fists and your feet, punching and kicking him. He was trying desperately to get away from you."
Speaking to Yapici, Recorder S Williams said: "When Mr Wabara had finished punching and kicking him, you hauled him off, dragging him down the shop. He was quite clearly terrified and did everything he could to get away from you. He was unconscious, lying flat on the floor, of no threat to you, when as a parting shot Mr Yapici you stroll down the aisle and aimed a blow at his head. There is absolutely no justification for kicking an unconscious man in the head."
Speaking of the effect of the attack on the victim, Recorder S Williams said: "I am sure he continues to be haunted by these events."
|
