Man facing jail for Keighley street attack (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Judge tells him to expect long term for festive assault on ‘Good Samaritan’

9:00am Tuesday 19th March 2013 in News By Jenny Loweth, T&A Reporter

A 23-year-old man has been warned to expect a long prison sentence for attacking “a Good Samaritan” outside his home on Christmas Day.

Lee Snowden, of Laburnum Road, Shipley, pleaded guilty at Bradford Crown Court yesterday to causing Sidney Bond, 64, grievous bodily harm with intent.

His co-accused, Ashley Whyte, 22, of North Dean Road, Keighley, was cleared of the offence.

Judge Peter Benson entered a formal verdict of not guilty and Mr Whyte, who was on bail, was discharged from the dock.

Philip Adams, for the Crown, said CCTV footage showed that Mr Whyte was not on the scene during “the material time” when Mr Bond was attacked.

Snowden was remanded back into custody to be sentenced on April 29.

Mr Adams said the Crown would be obtaining up-to-date medical evidence on Mr Bond’s state of health for the next hearing. It was understood that it had improved.

Snowden’s barrister, Stephen Wood, accepted that it was a very serious offence but asked for a report to be prepared by the probation service.

His client had committed no violent crime since he was a juvenile.

Judge Benson told Snowden: “You must understand that this is a very serious offence and you must expect to receive a lengthy sentence of custody.”

Mr Snowden was found unconscious on the doorstep of his home in Spring Row, Keighley, after he was attacked on the afternoon of Christmas Day.

He was found by a passer-by and rushed to hospital with severe head injuries.

Mr Bond was treated at Leeds General Infirmary where he was described as being in a stable condition. Janet Parker, who lives in the same apartment complex as Mr Bond, said afterwards she was shocked when she heard he had been attacked and was praying for his recovery.

She described him as a perfect neighbour, adding: “He was like a Good Samaritan. He would do anything for you.”

She said Mr Bond had no children and had never been married.