A MAN beat a schoolgirl unconscious after he reportedly drove around to look for her and ‘beat her up’, a court has heard.

Nathaniel Cruickshank, 20, sent the 16-year-old girl to hospital by striking her over the head and beating her until she lost consciousness.

Despite the defendant having previously been convicted of assaulting a 16-year-old boy and threatening him with a chainsaw, Dorset Police have refused to release his custody image.

Prosecuting, Stuart Ellacott, told Bournemouth Crown Court on June 21 Cruickshank was convicted of assault by beating after a trial at Poole Magistrates Court.

He is also charged with breaching a suspended sentence after he appeared in court for attacking a teenage boy in August last year.

Mr Ellacott told the court that on February 8, 2024, the victim was walking home from school with a friend in Shaftesbury at 3.40pm.

They noticed a car pass them before coming to a stop and seeing the defendant exit the drivers side, screaming at them.

A man who was in the car with the defendant at the time said Cruickshank told him he was driving to find this girl so he could beat her up.

The defendant charged at the 16-year-old shouting: “You’re going to **** my life up even more.”

He then struck the girl over the head, knocking her to the floor, before continuously beating her.

The girl later said she lost consciousness for a few seconds after around three blows.

She repeatedly told Cruickshank “I am sorry” before the beating eventually stopped and he walked away.

The victim was driven to hospital to be checked over and was found to have “reasonably minor” injuries.

The defendant later said in a text message to a friend: “Bruv I have just put her in hospital” along with two laughing emojis.

Mr Ellacott told the court the victim was vulnerable by being a child and the assault was prolonged and persistent.

Mitigating, Rob Griffiths, said the defendant has underlying mental health issues and he suffers from suicidal thoughts and self-harm.

He added the defendant could not remember the incident and that is why he pleaded not guilty at the magistrates court.

“He is disgusted by his actions now that he knows what they are,” said Mr Griffiths.

Mr Recorder Tait told Cruickshank: “You were given an opportunity back in November last year in a relatively similar offence where you were made subject to a suspended sentence.”

Cruickshank, 20 and of Gillingham, was sentenced to 13 months in prison.