Gang jailed after attacking man 'like pack of wild animals' in Coventry

A clubber was viciously attacked after a group of thugs 'started making comments about him'


Top: Akash Kumar, Macauley Smith and Thomas Jackson/Bottom: Connor Moore, Liam Askew, Lewis Friel and Riley Kavanagh

A gang who carried out a sickening attack on a clubber who was walking home in Coventry have been jailed. A man was set upon by a 'violent' group of thugs who were likened to 'a pack of wild animals.'

Akash Kumar, Macauley Smith, Riley Kavanagh, Thomas Jackson, Lewis Friel, Liam Askew and Connor Moore were all part of the 'senseless' attack in the city in March 2019. In the early hours of that day, the victim and his friend had been walking home from a night out, when the group approached them and 'started making comments about him.'

When the victim responded, he was pushed by Jackson to the ground. Now surrounded by the group, he was stamped on as well as punched viciously and kicked.

At this point, his friend tried to stand in the way to protect him but was pushed to the floor by Kavanagh. After the attack, the group fled the scene, leaving the man unconscious and with life-changing injuries including a broken nose, broken cheekbone, bruising, blurred vision and nerve damage.

A CCTV appeal was later issued identifying Smith and Friel along with Askew and Kavanagh. Moore and Jackson contacted police themselves having seen their faces in the appeal issued by West Midlands Police. Kumar was arrested several months later, the force said.

All of the group, with the exception of Kumar, were sentenced on Friday, July 7. Lewis Friel was jailed for five years for wounding and will serve two years concurrently for violent disorder, said West Midlands Police.

Thomas Jackson was sentenced to five years and eight months in prison for wounding plus 27 months for violent disorder. Liam Askew will spend 28 months in prison for assault and violent disorder, the force said.

Riley Kavanagh will spend four years in prison consecutively with an existing nine-year term for wounding. Connor Moore was jailed for five years for wounding plus two years concurrent for violent disorder.

Macauley Smith will spend two years and two months behind bars for violent disorder plus 20 months for grievous bodily harm. Akaash Kumar will be sentenced on Friday, July 21 at Warwick Crown Court.

Investigating Officer PC Sunny Sahota said: “This was a horrific and violent attack in which the victim was set upon by the group like a pack of wild animals, leaving him unconscious.

“The victim has had to endure this for four years but now has finally got justice. We hope he finally has closure and can move forward with his life.”