Thug rained down punches on victim during attack in Sunderland city centre

Leon Appleton, 21, was caught on CCTV launching the attack in Sunderland City Centre on his 18-year-old victim, who the court heard had never before been in a fight.

The victim had been out drinking with his cousin on July 1 2023 and, while talking to two young women, noticed a pair of males staring at him - one of whom was Appleton.

The victim and his cousin changed bars but Appleton, of Spruce Court, Shildon, County Durham, appeared again and asked the victim if he wanted to fight, to which he responded no.

Outside a pub, with two bouncers standing nearby, Appleton was caught on CCTV repeatedly hitting the younger man around 10 times to the face and head without response.

Nicoleta Alistari, prosecuting, said: "The complainant had never been in a fight. He didn't sense danger because he had done nothing wrong."

Newcastle Crown Court heard the victim's eye was swollen and his vision blurred and when it did not improve days later, he went to hospital to discover the pain he was feeling was because he had a large bruise to his retina, which had become detached.

He subsequently needed three operations.

In a victim impact statement, he said his dreams of becoming a firefighter had been taken away from him as a result of the injury.

He added: "I will never be that happy, confident person always thinking the best of everyone.

"I feel like I've been punished while the man who attacked me carries on with his life and doesn't give me or my sight a second thought."

The court heard the victim's mother carried out an investigation and managed to track down the attacker online.

Appleton, who was already on a community order for affray at the time of the attack, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm.

He was sentenced to 21 months suspended for two years.

Recorder Toby Hedworth KC said the attack was "quite gratuitous" and carried out against a young man who was "completely blameless".

He said Appleton should be ashamed but said there was a risk locking him up immediately would increase the chances of further violence in future so instead wanted him to work with the probation service to address his behaviour.

The court heard he was "remorseful" and that he wished he had "walked away".

"I suspect his victim wished the same," Recorder Hedworth responded.Appleton, who was serving a community order for affray at the time of the attack, was sentenced to 21 months in jail, suspended for two years.

Court report by Matt Young