Thugs jailed for 'ferocious' attack

16 months for beating up man

Two men have been jailed for their roles in a prolonged attack in which they knocked out a man after a drinking spree.

Brandon Cooney, 25, of High Street, Ilfracombe, and Wade Van Straaten, 28, of Clinton Road in Barnstaple, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm in what was described as a 'ferocious' attack that could have had even more severe consequences.

Both Cooney and Van Straaten were jailed for 16 months at Exeter Crown Court.

They met the victim in the Snug and Hyde pub in Ilfracombe one night last November, later going to Cooney’s house to continue drinking.

Around 1 in the morning, they left the address and walked down Ilfracombe High Street where Cooney and Van Straaten falsely accused the victim of taking Cooney’s wallet.

During the attack, the victim was punched and kicked to the head and body numerous times, rendering him unconscious.

Cooney and Van Straaten then brought the victim to his feet, sat him in a bus stop and stayed with him for five minutes before walking away.

The victim then tried to fight back which resulted in another prolonged attack, again involving punches and kicks to the head and torso.

After the defendants left the scene, the victim was found by a member of the public and then taken by ambulance to A&E.

DC Sam Jones of North Devon CID said: “The brutal violence used within this assault could have had severe consequences for the victim. The incident was linked to the consumption of alcohol, highlighting the dangerous interplay between alcohol and violent behaviour.

“I commend the swift response of fellow officers within Devon & Cornwall Police, whose commitment to reducing violence and crime of this nature remains unwavering.

“The sentences passed by the judge for the individuals involved are intended to serve as a deterrent, emphasising the seriousness of such offenses.

“I also extend my gratitude to the witnesses and licensed premises who supported the investigation, playing a crucial role in ensuring justice for the victim and public safety.”