Gang 'plagued' Bradford city centre by attacking innocent members of the public like a 'pack of animals'

The seven men, plus one youth, were part of groups involved in violent incidents in prominent locations such as City Park, The Broadway Centre, Forster Square Retail Park, and Bradford Interchange.

The Recorder of Bradford, Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC, told the defendants they were neither “wanted or welcome” in the city, and granted Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) banning the gang from the area for three years.

The seven Bradford men - Alex Balogun, 21, of Ure Crescent, White Abbey; Adrian Strzykal, 20, of Hyne Avenue, Bierley; Nabeel Ahmed, 19, of Coates Street, West Bowling; Garry Mullaney, 18, of Greenway Drive, Lower Grange; Kevon Kelly, 18, of Moore Avenue, Great Horton; Connor Jeffrey, 18, of Wycombe Green, Holme Wood; Morgan Tattersall, 18, of Saffron Drive, Allerton, and the 17-year-old youth had all pleaded guilty to affray prior to yesterday’s hearing.

Balogun had also admitted a charge of damage to property, Strzykal an offence of common assault, and Ahmed a charge of theft.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named due to his age, was also sentenced for breaching a three-year CBO imposed on him in November 2015.

Prosecutor Jayne Beckett told Bradford Crown Court that Balogun, Strzykal, Ahmed, and Kelly had been part of a group who approached two men sat in City Park at around 10pm on January 7.

The group attacked the men, punching and kicking them, with one victim - Tedoras Alemashet - swung into a metal pole and thrown to the floor.

He suffered injuries to his arms, legs, and face, telling police he was “knocked unconscious” at one point during the assault.

On the evening of January 21, Strzykal, Ahmed, Kelly, and Mullaney were said to have been part of a 12-strong gang who terrorised staff at the Aldi store on Valley Road, Bradford.

Mullaney had entered the shop to try to steal bottles of vodka and when he was detained, he punched a member of staff.

Strzykal also stole vodka and hit a member of staff, with Kelly throwing a shopping basket which hit another staff member.

The manager of the store, Lee Brennan, said the gang were like a “pack of animals”, who when he tried to get them to leave responded by saying: “What are you going to do about it?”

Miss Beckett said that on January 29, Strzykal was with another man in Bradford Interchange when he approached and randomly attacked Waheed Khaliq.

He punched his victim to the head and body, leaving him with injuries to his face and chest.

On February 10, Balogun, Ahmed, Kelly, Mullaney, and Tattersall were said to have “run amok” in The Broadway, attacking a group of three men near the Charles Street entrance to the centre.

All three victims were knocked to the floor, where they were punched and kicked to the head and body.

Miss Beckett said that on February 16, Balogun, Ahmed, Mullaney, and Jeffrey were part of a group who chased a homeless man into the Bargain Buys store inn Forster Square Retail Park.

The man was pushed to the floor inside the shop, where all four defendants punched and stamped on him, causing head and facial injuries.

Various members of staff and other witnesses who tried to intervene where also pushed out of the way, with one describing the assault on the man as a “violent and relentless attack.”

Applying for the CBOs, Miss Beckett said: “The concern of police is unnecessary to state. This group plagues the city centre, its shops, staff, and security personnel.

“This is not an isolated incident, this is repeat offending, time and time again. These are very public areas. There are innocent members of the public all around who are obviously affected by this.”

Helen Chapman, representing four of the men, said there were certain factors that mitigated the “appalling” behaviour of all eight defendants.

She said they were all “directionless, jobless young men who had nothing better to do with their lives”, but who now expressed genuine remorse for their actions.

“None have come from happy backgrounds, life has been cruel in recent years,” she said.

“While their behaviour is not wanted or desired by anyone in this city, they will return to Bradford as this is where they live.

“They are all at somewhat of a crossroads here. The court could take an approach to grab their behaviour by the scruff of the neck, or choose to put them among some really serious criminals.”

The court heard that many of the men had been addicted to drink and drugs at the time of the offending, but Judge Durham Hall dismissed arguments for any custodial sentences to be suspended.

He said: “These are feral, at the moment, young men. They have no respect for authority or for the safety of others. They are not wanted in Bradford, they are not welcome in Bradford.

“The violence used in each affray was truly frightening and extreme. They were group efforts, kicking and stamping on wholly innocent people.

“Bradford does not want you in its centre at this stage of your lives. You are a menace, collectively and individually.

“This court will not tolerate behaviour like this in our city.”

Balogun was jailed for 20 months, with Ahmed, Mullaney, and Kelly given 20-month sentences in a young offenders institution (YOI).

Strzykal was given a 19-month sentence in a YOI, with Jeffrey and Tattersall both ordered to serve ten months.

All seven were given three-year CBOs, with the youth given a 20-month detention and training order for breaching his existing CBO.

The orders prevent any of the defendants entering Bradford city centre or meeting together in any public place.

Speaking after the case, PC Toni Ramsden, of the Bradford City Area Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “These males congregated in the city centre in a large group and intimidated members of the public who were unfortunate enough to walk past them.

“In some cases these escalated into actual assaults, where victims were punched, kicked and even stamped on.

“Businesses were also targeted as some of the group shoplifted food and alcohol and engaged in violent behaviour on their premises.

“These males are now the subject of strict orders and could find themselves back before the courts if the terms of these are breached.

“We hope this will serve as a warning to others that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated in Bradford District and that we will take action where it is necessary to protect the public from further harm.”

Councillor Abdul Jabar, Bradford Council’s executive member for neighbourhoods and community safety, said: “Groups of anti-social yobs will not be tolerated and we will do all we can to take action against them.

“Members of the public want to visit the city centre without fear of being intimidated or harassed and our officers will continue to work with the police to make sure that they will be protected.”