Lower Gardens attack: Second man jailed for assault on cyclist

Ilker Can was part a group who were involved in an earlier hours assault in Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens.

The complainant, Andrew Ntiamoah, suffered multiple facial fractures.

Following the attack, Mr Ntiamoah had a metal plate inserted in his jaw, screws placed in his mouth and he experiences ongoing problems with his left eye.

Judge Brian Forster QC sentenced Can, 31 and of Drummond Road, Portsmouth, to two years’ imprisonment at a Bournemouth Crown Court hearing on Monday, February 14.

Ilker Can

The court heard that the complainant’s left eye will never be straight again, even after an operation, and he can only use one eye at a time.

“It is a tragedy that out of nothing he should be left with such a disability,” Judge Forster QC said.

Prosecuting, Rob Griffiths said the complainant, who had been on a night out, was riding a bicycle through the Lower Gardens at around 1.30am on May 31 last year.

He passed through a group of people, which included Can, causing them to split apart.

After one of the group shouted ‘oi’ there was a confrontation.

Co-defendant Daniel Martin McInerney, who was sentenced back in November, through the first punches at the complainant.

• Read more: Man jailed for attack on cyclist in Bournemouth town centre

At this point Can joined in the assault, connecting with at least two punches.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm at an earlier hearing.

Mark Florida-James, representing Can, said: “It is always a tragedy when this sort of behaviour occurs without an explanation.”

The barrister said it was obviously a tragedy for the complainant, but also his client, who was not heavily convicted and had no offences of violence since 2018.

Can was jailed for an offence being concerned in the supply of cannabis after the assault took place but before he was charged.

Mr Florida-James said Can was released from prison on home detention curfew and showed good behaviour while behind bars.

“He apologises to the victim in this case,” said Mr Florida-James.

“He has no real explanation, which in a way makes it worse.”

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The incident took place in the Lower Gardens in May last year

Judge Forster QC said he had tried to do the “almost impossible” and take the defendant’s time already spent behind bars into account.

He said the sentence was one that could not be suspended because the circumstances are so serious.

As reported, McInerney, of 30, of Hazelmere Drive, Northolt, Middlesex, was sentenced to 28 months’ imprisonment.

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