Man convicted over Telford gang attack
A Telford man has been convicted of spearheading a gang attack outside a takeaway which left the victim unable to eat properly for up to eight weeks.
Daniel Shaw was repeatedly punched and kicked by a gang of up to five men which fractured his jaw in two places, meaning he had to undergo an operation to wire it shut.
A jury at Shrewsbury Crown Court took about 60 minutes yesterday to unanimously find 26-year-old James Hutchings, from Broomfield Road in Admaston, guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm on Mr Shaw with a number of others.
The court heard Mr Shaw and a female friend went to Tender Fried Chicken in Church Street, Wellington, in the early hours of July 21 last year.
After receiving their food, the woman went back inside to get some mayonnaise, where the defendant told her she was "fit" before making inappropriate advances towards her.
She left the shop and told Mr Shaw what happened and pointed out the person she believed was responsible. The victim approached the man and was punched in the face and set upon by a group of up to five men, who punched him repeatedly, pinned him up against a car bonnet and then kicked him in the head as he lay on the floor.
Hutchings, who was picked out in an identity parade, claimed it was a case of "mistaken identity". But the jury dismissed his account and held him responsible for the attack which left Mr Shaw with bruises over his chest, back and legs. He also had a metal plate inserted in his jaw, stopping him from eating solid food for two months.
The two-day trial was adjourned for pre-sentence reports..
Judge Peter Barrie said: "You must come back to court on October 4 where you will be dealt with by this court."
