Three men sentenced for assault in Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth

Lucian Newton, Michael Burgess and Morgan Upward, all 20 and of Bournemouth, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm after attacking Brandon Bunting after the festival on May 26, 2019.

They all appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court for sentencing on Friday. Newton also appeared alongside Isaac Johansen, 20, both admitting an affray in August 2020.

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Isaac Johansen, 20, outside Bournemouth Crown Court

Prosecuting, Simon Foster, said the group encountered the victim while leaving the festival.

“Mr Bunting found himself circled and by way of a blow or blows put him on the ground,” the prosecutor said.

The victim was kicked and hit while on the ground and sustained a fractured cheek bone which required surgery.

Reading his victim impact statement, Mr Bunting said the assault came just weeks after learning he had a place at a London university to study dance and he was no longer able to attend.

He said: “Two weeks before I was due to start, I had to tell my parents I was not doing it anymore.

“I was not myself, however I pushed myself instead of hiding away. I decided to lose more than four stone and bring my confidence back.

“This is something I have thought about day in, day out. I decided enough was enough and after failed attempts at getting into the police I decided I wanted more.”

Mr Bunting said he has started a law degree and has been receiving exceptional grades.

“Thank you for making me see a path for myself that I didn’t see before,” he added.

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Prosecuting the affray, Mr Foster said Newton and Johansen were in Old Christchurch Road when the victim skated past them on his way home from work at around 3am.

Johansen kicked out at the victim before the group pulled him to the ground where he was struck a number of times by the group.

Newton, Burgess, and Upward all had no previous convictions. Johansen had two convictions for battery.

Mitigating for Newton, Tom Evans said he was a youth at the time of the offending and had matured since then. He said Newton was “extremely bright, calm and measured”.

Representing Burgess, David Jenkins said his role was “limited”, lasting while Mr Bunting was on the floor, approximately 20 seconds.

Ed Wylde, mitigating for Upward, said his client was “ashamed of what has happened, and what he did”, adding he was remorseful and apologetic.

Mitigating for Johansen on the affray matter, David Freeland said it was a short incident and noted the delay between today and offence.

Recorder Tom Brown sentenced Newton, Upward and Burgess to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for two years for the ABH.

They were also made subject of a curfew between 7pm and 7am for three months and ordered to pay £960 each in compensation.

For the affray, Johansen was sentenced to 16 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered to pay £240 compensation.

Newton was sentenced to a further four months imprisonment suspended, to be served concurrently with the 12 months. His curfew was also extended for six months.