Teenager locked up for 48 months for string of assaults in Ipswich

Morgan Smyth, who was given 48 months' detention (Image: Archant)

Eighteen-year-old Morgan Smyth was in a group of five or six young men who attacked the youth in Whitehouse Park in Ipswich on December 12, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

During the incident, in which Smyth was described as playing a dominant role, the victim was taken to the ground and kicked between 15-20 times, said John Farmer, prosecuting.

The attack had come to an end when one of the group said: “That’s enough. Leave him,” and the victim, who suffered cuts and bruises, went to a nearby garage for help.

Two days later Smyth was in a group of youths who cornered a 16-year-old and took him to a derelict site.

There the teenager was punched from behind and kicked to the body while he was on the ground, said Mr Farmer.

He said Smyth had once again played a dominant role in the incident during which the victim was forced to hand over his rucksack which contained a £500 iPhone.

Mr Farmer said Smyth had demanded the PIN for the phone from the youth.

In October, Smyth had approached a 13-year-old boy and punched him causing him to fall to the ground.

He had then stamped on his head, said Mr Farmer.

The boy was subsequently taken to hospital and kept in overnight under observation.

On another occasion Smyth had approached some youths in Waterford Road, Ipswich, and pointed a loaded crossbow at them.

Smyth, of Spenser Road, Ipswich, admitted possessing an offensive weapon, common assault, assault causing actual bodily harm and robbery.

He was sentenced to 48 months detention in a young offenders’ institution.

Gareth Hughes, for Smyth, said a probation report prepared on his client considered there was no alternative to an immediate custodial sentence.

Mr Hughes said that since being in custody Smyth had been subjected to the same kind of behaviour he had subjected his victims to and this had given him an insight into how they must have felt.