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Victim's relief as bus attackers convicted
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| Peter Forrest |
AN RAF serviceman has spoken of 'returning to normal' after two teenagers who attacked him as he got off a bus in Carterton were found guilty of grievous bodily harm.
Peter Forrest, 24, was knocked unconscious and left with a badly broken ankle after being punched and kicked on his way home to RAF Brize Norton after a night out in Witney in February.
His 17-year-old male attackers - who cannot be named for legal reasons - were convicted at Oxford Youth Court on Monday.
Reacting to the verdict, Mr Forrest said: "I am really pleased about that. I hope they will get a decent punishment at the end of the month."
The incident took place after the victim and his attackers, who had been drinking that night, shared the top deck of a bus ride home at about 1.30am.
One of the boys, who was in a group of youths at the back of the bus, punched Mr Forrest in the face, before the group got off the vehicle ahead of their victim and made their way to his bus stop further along the route.
After Mr Forrest had stepped off the bus, one of the youths punched him to the ground, before he was kicked and stamped on.
A passing taxi driver and his passenger witnessed the incident, and raised the alarm.
The senior aircraftsman said he was pleased that he could now draw a line under the incident, but admitted his injuries would always serve as a reminder of his ordeal.
He said: "I am just about getting back to normal now. I have just started running again - I used to run every day - and I am just getting into it again.
"I have got seven screws and a plate in my leg, and that is there for life. It does ache from time to time, and I have just got to put up with it. I am definitely a lot more wary when I go out. I am much more aware of those sorts of gangs of youths."
Mr Forrest said: "I will definitely stay away from the top deck of a bus."
Presiding over Oxford Youth Court, District Judge Wright refused to uphold requests for the attackers' anonymity to be lifted.
She said it was not in the public interest for people to know who they were, and because of the problems it would cause their families. Awaiting their sentence would be an 'ordeal' for them, she added.
In 'unhesitatingly' delivering her guilty verdict, Judge Wright said the pair had acted together, and 'both were responsible for causing really serious injuries in their own right'. She told the boys that a custodial sentence was a possibility, before handing them unconditional bail ahead of separate sentencing dates at the end of July.
9:33am Tuesday 1st July 2008
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CommentPosted by: Robin Goodfellow, Carterton on 10:05am Tue 1 Jul 08
District Judge Wright has got it all wrong. It is in the public interest for us to know who committed this crime. If it makes life difficult for the families, then maybe other people will bring their children up to not offend.
District Judge Wright has got it all wrong. It is in the public interest for us to know who committed this crime. If it makes life difficult for the families, then maybe other people will bring their children up to not offend.
Posted by: Lizzie, Witney on 11:40am Tue 1 Jul 08
Agreed. The Judge has got it all wrong. Such a shame that awaiting sentencing will be an "ordeal for them". For goodness sakes. It was Mr Forrest who suffered the ordeal. Until the judiciary get tough with these people incidents like this will continue to happen.
Agreed. The Judge has got it all wrong. Such a shame that awaiting sentencing will be an "ordeal for them". For goodness sakes. It was Mr Forrest who suffered the ordeal. Until the judiciary get tough with these people incidents like this will continue to happen.
Posted by: ap, Oxford on 4:22pm Tue 1 Jul 08
Bless there cotton socks. We better not name them and heaven forbid cause their no doubt hard working law abiding families any upset.
Stick them in jail until they are too old to do it again.
Bless there cotton socks. We better not name them and heaven forbid cause their no doubt hard working law abiding families any upset.
Stick them in jail until they are too old to do it again.
Posted by: Sharon, witney on 4:27pm Tue 1 Jul 08
If they are old enough to be out at 1.30am then they are old enough to take the consequences of their names being published.
If they are old enough to be out at 1.30am then they are old enough to take the consequences of their names being published.
Posted by: -, - on 7:58pm Tue 1 Jul 08
for those following this article, i hope you know, mr forrest, the so called innocent victim, [bold]STARTED[/bold] the fight on the bus. cctv showed this.
for those following this article, i hope you know, mr forrest, the so called innocent victim,
STARTED the fight on the bus. cctv showed this.
Posted by: pc plod, carterton on 8:54pm Tue 1 Jul 08
So even if mr forrest did a few things on the bus (which as we don't have access to footage we'll never know), does that give these two thugs the right to kick the bloke senseless, break his leg and half-kill him?? No, didn't think so.
These kids are obviously thugs through and through and shud get a long time in jail. Why we can't be told who they are is beyond me - but i'm sure they'll both enjoy their lengthy spell locked up behind bars where they belong.
So even if mr forrest did a few things on the bus (which as we don't have access to footage we'll never know), does that give these two thugs the right to kick the bloke senseless, break his leg and half-kill him?? No, didn't think so.
These kids are obviously thugs through and through and shud get a long time in jail. Why we can't be told who they are is beyond me - but i'm sure they'll both enjoy their lengthy spell locked up behind bars where they belong.
Posted by: Alan Deadman, Isle of Wight on 12:13am Wed 2 Jul 08
Judge Wright should be sacked! You are a disgcrace to the criminaol justice system. I would like to meet the attackers and I give them a what they desrve. Fcking cowards!
Judge Wright should be sacked! You are a disgcrace to the criminaol justice system. I would like to meet the attackers and I give them a what they desrve. Fcking cowards!
Posted by: Peed-off with scumbags, Carterton on 7:50am Wed 2 Jul 08
Hang on, why arent the PARETNS also being called into the court to explain why THEIR underage kids are out at 1.30 am drunk?
What the hell kind of justice is there that allows the perpetrators of crimes to be given more rights than a victim?
Sack the **** judge and bring back public flogging for the offenders.
Hang on, why arent the PARETNS also being called into the court to explain why THEIR underage kids are out at 1.30 am drunk?
What the hell kind of justice is there that allows the perpetrators of crimes to be given more rights than a victim?
Sack the **** judge and bring back public flogging for the offenders.
Posted by: Angry of Abingdon on 2:48pm Wed 2 Jul 08
It's so sad, Witney seems like such a nice town. I think the police should have more power with regard to scumbags - this country is too soft!
It's so sad, Witney seems like such a nice town. I think the police should have more power with regard to scumbags - this country is too soft!
Posted by: y ya git to be annonimous on 4:05pm Wed 2 Jul 08
mr forresst is a lyer he started the fight on the bus ... no dragged him off the bus n hes lyed out of his teeth 2 the newspapers... hes the one that should be put away
mr forresst is a lyer he started the fight on the bus ... no dragged him off the bus n hes lyed out of his teeth 2 the newspapers... hes the one that should be put away
Posted by: ;( on 5:15pm Wed 2 Jul 08
all you people who are condeming the two "thugs" are all norrow-minded and stupid. mr forresst was the one who started everything. one of the boys doesn't deserve to go down as his involvement was minamal, and due to mr forresst lieing through his teeth, he is now looking at jail. so well done to all those condeming these boys before hearing both sides of the story
all you people who are condeming the two "thugs" are all norrow-minded and stupid. mr forresst was the one who started everything. one of the boys doesn't deserve to go down as his involvement was minamal, and due to mr forresst lieing through his teeth, he is now looking at jail. so well done to all those condeming these boys before hearing both sides of the story
Posted by: Open-minded, Carterton on 5:42pm Wed 2 Jul 08
Ok - if you know so much, give us their side of the story. Who are they first? And why did they do what they did? C'mon this is the chance to have their say - so what really happened? Did they or did they not kick lumps out of this RAF man?
Ok - if you know so much, give us their side of the story. Who are they first? And why did they do what they did? C'mon this is the chance to have their say - so what really happened? Did they or did they not kick lumps out of this RAF man?
Posted by: *sigh*, Witney on 10:10pm Wed 2 Jul 08
I'm always fascinated by the opinion of name and shame, because it leaves me wondering just what you would do if you knew who it was? How would that really change the situation?
It also suggests that nobody can be sorry for the actions they take, and nobody can change the way they behave in the future. If that’s the case then I suggest we let our judicial system know so they can stop wasting their money on the rehabilitation of offenders.
It’s easy in these situations for people to take sides, when in fact it’s only the people who were involved who really know what happened. As in many cases newspapers are selective about the facts that they choose to publish because headlines sell papers, and the police use the evidence carefully selected to get their prosecution.
The comments about these young people drinking - I would ask how exactly did they get drunk in the first place? It’s easy for everyone to say why didn’t the parents know where their kids were at 1.30 in the morning, it would be great if we all knew where our kids were all the time but it just doesn’t work like that. Perhaps the police should also be doing more to stop young people being able to get hold of alcohol.
I'm always fascinated by the opinion of name and shame, because it leaves me wondering just what you would do if you knew who it was? How would that really change the situation?
It also suggests that nobody can be sorry for the actions they take, and nobody can change the way they behave in the future. If that’s the case then I suggest we let our judicial system know so they can stop wasting their money on the rehabilitation of offenders.
It’s easy in these situations for people to take sides, when in fact it’s only the people who were involved who really know what happened. As in many cases newspapers are selective about the facts that they choose to publish because headlines sell papers, and the police use the evidence carefully selected to get their prosecution.
The comments about these young people drinking - I would ask how exactly did they get drunk in the first place? It’s easy for everyone to say why didn’t the parents know where their kids were at 1.30 in the morning, it would be great if we all knew where our kids were all the time but it just doesn’t work like that. Perhaps the police should also be doing more to stop young people being able to get hold of alcohol.
Posted by: Adam James Bramwell, Witney on 1:44pm Thu 3 Jul 08
This is all from the point of view from one man, how do we know the youths were not prevoked. Many "squadies" have a reputation around the Carterton area that they go looking for fights late at night. This seems to me to be a very one sided statement. It would be interesting to hear the other side of the story.
This is all from the point of view from one man, how do we know the youths were not prevoked. Many "squadies" have a reputation around the Carterton area that they go looking for fights late at night. This seems to me to be a very one sided statement. It would be interesting to hear the other side of the story.
Posted by: x, Near by on 1:57pm Thu 3 Jul 08
If Mr Forest started the whole thing, then he will have to live with the consequences, and as he was drunk himself maybe as an adult he should of been more responsible and avoided getting involved.
If Mr Forest started the whole thing, then he will have to live with the consequences, and as he was drunk himself maybe as an adult he should of been more responsible and avoided getting involved.
Posted by: --, Alvescot on 1:57pm Thu 3 Jul 08
As shown on CCTV! and what everyone is also forgetting, is that Mr Forrest STARTED the incident, so surely the whole thing isn't just unprovoked, something must have caused this reaction.
As shown on CCTV! and what everyone is also forgetting, is that Mr Forrest STARTED the incident, so surely the whole thing isn't just unprovoked, something must have caused this reaction.
Posted by: C-Town Resident, Carterton on 2:19pm Thu 3 Jul 08
[italic]"One of the boys, who was in a group of youths at the back of the bus, punched Mr Forrest in the face"[/italic] No offence to the journalist/writer, but this is one crappy story. The scene that this story prtrays is that Mr Forrest was attacked for no reason whatsoever, which I, and many others know for a fact was not the case.
These youths were provoked and should not be the ones punnished for this clash.
If you are on the top deck of a bus, at 1am, drunk, you do not go mouthing off to a group of lads.
You mouth off to people, and you get yourself in trouble that you cant necessarily talk your way out of.
this is excactly what happened that night between these young lads and Mr Forrest.
Shame on Mr Forrest and the journo that believed his one sided story.
"One of the boys, who was in a group of youths at the back of the bus, punched Mr Forrest in the face" No offence to the journalist/writer, but this is one crappy story. The scene that this story prtrays is that Mr Forrest was attacked for no reason whatsoever, which I, and many others know for a fact was not the case.
These youths were provoked and should not be the ones punnished for this clash.
If you are on the top deck of a bus, at 1am, drunk, you do not go mouthing off to a group of lads.
You mouth off to people, and you get yourself in trouble that you cant necessarily talk your way out of.
this is excactly what happened that night between these young lads and Mr Forrest.
Shame on Mr Forrest and the journo that believed his one sided story.
Posted by: Beth, west oxon on 3:39pm Thu 3 Jul 08
I have to agree with the comment made my *sigh*. I am sure that all the families involved are apalled by the whole situation.No person is either totally evil or totally good. I try to take the approach of, judge not least you be judged. As a mother with children teetering on the edge of their teens i do not know what situations they will find themselves in the future and how they will conduct themselves in that situation, all i can hope is that what i have taught them will be screaming out in their minds if faced with a situation that could put them in danger physically or with the law. If these young men were habitual 'thugs' the judge would have no need to hide their identity as the whole of the area would have been suggesting them as the culprits as soon as the assault was committed. No one gains by their names been public knowledge accept local gossips and those wishing to take the law into their own hands.
I have to agree with the comment made my *sigh*. I am sure that all the families involved are apalled by the whole situation.No person is either totally evil or totally good. I try to take the approach of, judge not least you be judged. As a mother with children teetering on the edge of their teens i do not know what situations they will find themselves in the future and how they will conduct themselves in that situation, all i can hope is that what i have taught them will be screaming out in their minds if faced with a situation that could put them in danger physically or with the law. If these young men were habitual 'thugs' the judge would have no need to hide their identity as the whole of the area would have been suggesting them as the culprits as soon as the assault was committed. No one gains by their names been public knowledge accept local gossips and those wishing to take the law into their own hands.
Posted by: Andrew Mackie, Carterton on 6:56pm Thu 3 Jul 08
I think that the comments posted above regarding the victim in this attack are fair enough, if that is indeed what happened and there is proof of this.
However, the story is about two youths who DID kick the living daylights out of Mr Forrest, and irrespective of any drunken provocation that may or may not have led to it, the fact of the matter is, these two teenagers have been found guilty of a very serious assault. Whether there were circumstances that led them to do it is a matter for any future appeal against conviction or sentence they will receive. Provocation alone does not mean that Mr Forrest deserved to have his leg broken and deserved to be kicked unconscious. These two youths SHOULD pay the penalty for their actions - although I'm not sure what the point of having their names emblazoned across a newspaper would be.
These two are, most likely, going to go to jail for a fair while. They will serve their punishment for what they did, and hopefully they will have learned a valuable lesson. It takes a much bigger person to walk away from confrontation than to hit back and physically attack someone.
It was two (at least) against one - and Mr Forrest did not come out of this unscathed. Only he will truly know if he did something to provoke the assault, but if he did, I do not think that letting the two thugs (and that's what they are) off scot-free would have been the right option either.
A spell in prison will probably help them to realise that violence is not the way forward.
I think that the comments posted above regarding the victim in this attack are fair enough, if that is indeed what happened and there is proof of this.
However, the story is about two youths who DID kick the living daylights out of Mr Forrest, and irrespective of any drunken provocation that may or may not have led to it, the fact of the matter is, these two teenagers have been found guilty of a very serious assault. Whether there were circumstances that led them to do it is a matter for any future appeal against conviction or sentence they will receive. Provocation alone does not mean that Mr Forrest deserved to have his leg broken and deserved to be kicked unconscious. These two youths SHOULD pay the penalty for their actions - although I'm not sure what the point of having their names emblazoned across a newspaper would be.
These two are, most likely, going to go to jail for a fair while. They will serve their punishment for what they did, and hopefully they will have learned a valuable lesson. It takes a much bigger person to walk away from confrontation than to hit back and physically attack someone.
It was two (at least) against one - and Mr Forrest did not come out of this unscathed. Only he will truly know if he did something to provoke the assault, but if he did, I do not think that letting the two thugs (and that's what they are) off scot-free would have been the right option either.
A spell in prison will probably help them to realise that violence is not the way forward.
Posted by: Friend, carterton on 9:16am Fri 4 Jul 08
As it was proved by one of the youths lawyers, Mr Forrest was the innocent party. The lawyer actually showed on the cctv footage that the youths started the whole think. So please tell me how and when he has been accused of strating the whole affair. He is the victim and should be help to get on woth his life. The youths should be made to give him compensation for what they did to him.
Name shame and make the offenders pay for what they did.
As it was proved by one of the youths lawyers, Mr Forrest was the innocent party. The lawyer actually showed on the cctv footage that the youths started the whole think. So please tell me how and when he has been accused of strating the whole affair. He is the victim and should be help to get on woth his life. The youths should be made to give him compensation for what they did to him.
Name shame and make the offenders pay for what they did.
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