Two "Asians" Jailed for Beating Lone Man in Northampton

From The Northampton Chronicle:

An innocent man had a tooth knocked out after being attacked by two men who mistakenly believed he had attacked their friend in a Northampton nightclub.

Kamal Hussain, aged 26, was jailed for 13 months at Northampton Crown Court yesterday after he admitted carrying out the attack in Bridge Street, Northampton.

Co-accused Amardeep Masih, aged 25, was fined for his involvement when he admitted a lesser assault charge, having joined in the attack on Simon Billington.

David Lee, prosecuting, said Mr Billington was on a night out at Crush nightclub at 2.45am on September 23 last year, when he saw a friend involved in a disturbance.

As he ran off down Bridge Street, Mr Billington followed him out but lost sight of him. He was then confronted by Hussain and another man who asked if he was looking for "the white boy".

When he said he was, CCTV cameras captured him being punched up to 10 times in the face as Masih joined in the attack and Hussain kicked him while on the ground.

Mr Billington lost a tooth, suffered a black eye, lost a large amount of blood and was only saved when a passing motorist intervened.

Mr Lee said: "The suggestion is that there was an incident inside the club when someone was injured. It appears these defendants thought Mr Billington had been involved in that, but there was no suggestion he was. By any view, Mr Billington had nothing to do with it."

The pair had been due to face a trial yesterday but changed their pleas at the last minute.

Hussain, of Adams Avenue, Abington, admitted inflicting actual bodily harm and was jailed for 13 months.

Masih, of North Paddock Court, Lings admitted assault, was fined £350 with £250 costs.

Judge Charles Wide QC said: "The courts take this sort of mindless violence seriously."