Kurtis James (Image: South Wales Police)
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An 18-year-old who kicked and stamped on a youth before stealing his bank card has been locked up for more than three years.
Kurtis John James subjected his 17-year-old victim to what a judge described as a “merciless beating” during the assault in Port Talbot town centre last November.
The attack
Swansea Crown Court heard the incident unfolded at around 5.30pm on November 26 when the victim had been with friends near the Specsavers shop before walking towards the footbridge over the river.
Prosecutor Alycia Carpanini said the teenager heard a voice shouting “Why are you spreading rumours about me?” before being approached by a group of males. James then punched the youth in the face, knocking him to the ground.
The court was told James repeatedly kicked and stamped on the victim as he lay curled in a foetal position on the floor, pleading for the assault to stop. During the sustained attack, James grabbed the teenager’s bank card and demanded he hand over the PIN.
The victim eventually managed to get to his feet and ran home to report what had happened.
Injuries
Hospital staff found bruising and swelling to the victim’s head along with a 2cm wound. He also had an abnormally high heart rate. A shoeprint was visible on the youth’s head – evidence of the sheer force used during the assault.
Victim’s words
In an impact statement read to the court, the victim said the attack had “come from nowhere” and described how, while curled up on the ground, he believed the kicks and stamps would continue until he passed out. He said the ordeal had worsened his insomnia and led to him drinking and smoking more “because of the trauma”.
Arrest
James was identified by police and tracked down to Reading railway station the morning after the attack, where he was arrested. He was transported back to south Wales and answered “no comment” to all questions in interview.
Defence
Kate Lewis, representing James, told the court her client had experienced a “horrendous and traumatic” upbringing and been shown “absolutely no love, support or kindness” in his life. She said he had been “kicked out” of the care system upon turning 18 and found himself homeless, something she described as “catastrophic” for the teenager. The barrister added that the background to the incident had been comments made by the complainant about a female James had been with.
Sentencing
James, of no fixed abode, had previously pleaded guilty to robbery. He has two previous convictions for three offences – public disorder, possession of a Class B drug, and keeping a child away from a responsible adult.
Judge Geraint Walters said nothing justified the “merciless beating” James had inflicted on his victim, regardless of whatever rumours were circulating. He described James as the “ringleader” in the group attack and said it was a miracle the victim had not been gravely injured, calling the incident “truly disturbing”.
The judge told James he had “clearly been brought up in a dreadful family” but said it was time for him to grow up.
With a 20 per cent discount for his guilty plea, James was sentenced to 38 months detention in a young offenders institution.
