Pair jailed for Cleethorpes attack

TWO serial offenders have been locked up for more than two years each after a violent attack which left a man needing eight stitches to his head.

James Pickard (19), of Fuller Street, Cleethorpes, and Ashley David Burns (22), of Wharncliffe Street, Doncaster, plus accomplice Samantha Potter (20), of Saltergate, Grimsby, fought with a group of people in the early hours of August 28 last year.

Grimsby Crown Court heard how the trio approached friends Ben Whittle (23), Lee Agius (27) and Michelle Thomson (30), who were sitting on Cleethorpes seafront at about 2am.

The group initially welcomed them and invited them over, plus two other females not involved in the fracas, the court heard.

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However, Potter sparked a dispute with Michelle Thomson over her refusal to help look for Potter's missing cannabis.

Burns and Pickard became involved, and a brawl ensued when her two male friends jumped to the woman's defence.

The court heard how both Burns and Pickard then broke away to retrieve weapons in the form of a claw hammer, a baseball bat and a knife – before joining the affray once more.

It was at this point that Potter, a mother of two, attempted to strangle Ben Whittle by putting her hands around his neck and striking him twice in the face.

Burns then hit Lee Agius over the head with the bat, followed by Pickard who also struck him near the temple with the claw hammer.

Mr Agius was left with blood streaming down his face and later needed eight stitches for a large wound to his head.

Prosecuting, Nigel Clive said: "It was at this point that Lee Agius looked over to Michelle Thomson, who also seemed to be having her own difficulties.

"She was being swung round by someone and he saw Pickard punch her in the face."

At this time, Michelle Thomson pleaded with the two male defendants not to use weapons, to which one of them was heard to respond: "Come on Whittle, you know I'm a tool kid and you know I will use it."

The fight then died down at which point the two groups dispersed.

The police were found nearby and led by the complainants to an address where the three defendants were arrested.