A violent and menacing Driffield Paedophile James Young targeted and followed a man before launching a nasty and prolonged attack on him after falsely accusing him of being a paedophile.
Heavy drinker and drug user James Young “took delight” in posting a “humiliating” online video of the vicious beating. There was no truth in the malicious accusations about the victim being a paedophile but, ironically, the brutal attacker, James Young, himself became a convicted sex offender just a few weeks later, Hull Crown Court heard.
James Young, 21, of Beverley Road, Driffield, admitted an offence of wounding the man on July 14.
Stephen Welch, prosecuting, said that the man, in his 50s, was having a night out with friends in Driffield. While he was returning home, he went into a takeaway. Two men began pestering him and James Young falsely accused him of being a paedophile.
The man collected his food and left the takeaway. James Young told him: “I’m going to sort you out now.” He followed the man for a mile and repeatedly spat at him.
James Young threw a glass bottle, which hit the back of his head. He repeatedly punched the man from behind. “After each blow, he would allow him to walk a little further before he punched him, sometimes knocking him to the ground,” said Mr Welch.
“The spitting continued. It continued as he walked for approximately 50 minutes, all the time receiving abuse and constantly being spat on by the defendant. He kicked him while he was on the ground. He broke his glasses and threw one of his shoes away.”
James Young told the man: “Look at the state of you, you fat b*d.” The man ran off as he approached his home. He was taken to York Hospital and was treated for a lump and a cut on the back of his head.
He suffered bruising on the side of his head where most of the punches landed. A large cut on his lip needed stitches. By August 8, he was still struggling to eat or drink. His lip was still swollen.
Police examined CCTV and identified James Young. He made no comment to all questions during police interview. A social media video post was found which clearly showed James Young attacking the victim. He could be heard accusing the man of being a paedophile and punching and kicking him to the head.
The man later said that what happened was completely unprovoked. “I feel I did nothing wrong apart from trying to go home,” he said. “I struggled to sleep due to severe pain. I was unable to get comfortable in bed.”
He suffered heightened anxiety after the attack, did not go out for weeks and suffered a permanently numb lip. It was bad enough to be assaulted but the posting of a video was very humiliating. “I still have no idea why I was targeted for such a lengthy ordeal,” he said.
James Young had convictions for three previous offences, including an offence of wounding in August 2020, when he was aged 16. The victim was punched and kicked while on the ground and suffered a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain.
In August this year, James Young was given a community order for sexual communication with a child and causing a child under 16 to watch a sexual act. He had sent an intimate picture of his private parts.
James Young was jailed for six weeks on August 19 for racially aggravated threatening words or behaviour while drunk in Beverley town centre.
Ben Hammersley, mitigating, said that alcohol and drug abuse played a significant part in James Young’s previous offences. “He is totally ashamed of his behaviour and knows it’s disgusting and unjustifiable,” said Mr Hammersley.
“He feels terrible for the humiliation caused to this victim. He knows that this can’t continue, with drinking and the consumption of cannabis.”
He faced going to prison and serving “a life sentence in instalments” unless he changed his behaviour. “It’s not the life he wants for himself,” said Mr Hammersley.
“He accepts that alcohol is a problem for him. He gets drunk and commits serious offences.” Young had been in custody for about four months.
Judge Alexander Menary said of the attack victim: “He was returning home when he had the misfortune to come across you and your brother in a takeaway. You subjected him to a prolonged and persistent attack.
“You accused him of being a paedophile, touching children. There was no truth in it. He was minding his own business. Mercifully, the injuries, despite what you did, were limited to a very nasty split to his lip. You took delight in humiliating your victim.”
James Young was jailed for three years. The sentence included a consecutive six months after the community order imposed for the sexual offences was revoked.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.