Soldier scarred for life in attack by Darlington yob (From Darlington and Stockton Times)
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Soldier scarred for life in attack by Darlington yob
12:13pm Sunday 18th November 2012 in News
By Neil Hunter
A YOUNG soldier was scarred for life when he had a broken bottle thrust into his neck by a drunken yob.
Shane Legg attacked trainee paratrooper Daniel Green as two rival gangs clashed in Richmond town centre.
Teesside Crown Court heard the innocent victim was simply walking past the trouble when he was assaulted.
Legg smashed a bottle and launched himself at Mr Green, despite him pleading: “We are nothing to do with it.”
Mr Green was with other members of the Armed Forces based at nearby Catterick Garrison and was going for something to eat.
The court heard how when police arrived on the scene, the young soldier had got the better of his attacker.
He was standing over Legg punching him in the face and had to be shot twice with a Taser stun-gun to stop.
Prosecutor, Paul Abrahams, said Mr Green was arrested before police realised how badly hurt he was.
He was taken to hospital where the main wound was stitched and had treatment for other head wounds.
The victim received a caution, while Legg admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
He was jailed for three year and four months after Judge Simon Bourne-Arton, QC, called the case “unusual”.
The judge accepted Legg, of Gilsland Crescent, Darlington, “misread the situation” during the clash.
Brian Russell, mitigating, said: “He is very upset about the injuries and understands how unpleasant it was.
“He doesn't routinely go about hurting people like this. He has got into trouble. He gets drunk and does stupid things.”
The court heard how Legg has previous convictions for disorderly behaviour, theft and criminal damage.
Judge Bourne-Arton told him: “There was trouble in the street and you completely misread the situation.
“The result was you attacked, at the time, a completely innocent individual.
“It may have been that as a result of you attacking him, he responded and may have given as good as he took.”
Mr Russell said unemployed Legg has “had some difficulties” and the court heard how his mother had died.
Mr Abrahams said families with children were in the area when the fight erupted on May 25 last year.
Comments(23)
Duke of Aycliffe
says...
5:33pm Sun 18 Nov 12
spragger
says...
7:39pm Sun 18 Nov 12
If he can handle this maybe we are sending the wrong people to Afghanistan.
We should send this one to defuse IEDs, by hand ..
oliviaden6
says...
9:32pm Sun 18 Nov 12
rough justice you havn't seen a friendly Drill Sargeant yet and never will???
soulie67
says...
9:52am Mon 19 Nov 12
stevegg
says...
10:25am Mon 19 Nov 12
tsunami
says...
12:56pm Mon 19 Nov 12
always right
says...
2:46pm Mon 19 Nov 12
spragger wrote:Lol,,,it was the SOLDIER they had to stun,to stop him beating more out of the caward with the bottle !.
'had to be shot twice with a Taser stun-gun to stop.' If he can handle this maybe we are sending the wrong people to Afghanistan. We should send this one to defuse IEDs, by hand ..
Homshaw1
says...
3:46pm Mon 19 Nov 12
If I was in that situation I would do everything I could to prevent any injury to myself If he overreacted then it is excusable in the circumstances
This Legg got exactly what he deseved3
Green should have the caution removed from his record.
This Legg could have easily killed him
Homshaw1
says...
3:46pm Mon 19 Nov 12
If I was in that situation I would do everything I could to prevent any injury to myself If he overreacted then it is excusable in the circumstances
This Legg got exactly what he deseved3
Green should have the caution removed from his record.
This Legg could have easily killed him
Bartholemew
says...
6:36pm Mon 19 Nov 12
Celer et Audax
says...
6:57pm Mon 19 Nov 12
Davy Crocket
says...
7:31pm Mon 19 Nov 12
JJ35569
says...
7:35pm Mon 19 Nov 12
Leanndra
says...
7:49pm Mon 19 Nov 12
soulie67
says...
8:43pm Mon 19 Nov 12
Leanndra wrote:especially this reporter!,,,,not the first time he has given false info about a court case........one recently springs to mind!.............wh
Sum ppl are a joke sitting behind computers commenting on other peoples lives and judging them without knowing the actual FACTS. The press are known for publishing incorrect information and bad stories about ppl and as per previous comments this reporter doesnt seem to be printing the correct information, I just think ppl shouldnt jugdge without knowing the facts dont believe everything you read in the press.
en I complained about it to the Editor I never received a reply and my e mails were blocked.........'Fre
e Press?' a load of b***ocks!
Homshaw1
says...
2:13pm Tue 20 Nov 12
Leanndra wrote:People have every right to comment on these matters and express an opinion as to what should happen to them.
Sum ppl are a joke sitting behind computers commenting on other peoples lives and judging them without knowing the actual FACTS. The press are known for publishing incorrect information and bad stories about ppl and as per previous comments this reporter doesnt seem to be printing the correct information, I just think ppl shouldnt jugdge without knowing the facts dont believe everything you read in the press.
We or one of our family might be the next innocent victim to be attacked by one of these CONVICTED yobs
tsunami
says...
2:49pm Tue 20 Nov 12
JJ35569
says...
3:13pm Tue 20 Nov 12
rockfordIL
says...
2:42pm Wed 21 Nov 12
But it's "Saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot.
Anyone read "Tommy" by Rudyard Kipling? I think some on hear should.
Squadies aren't perfect you know. But you bloody well need 'em.
Allanopie
says...
1:19am Fri 23 Nov 12
Spy Boy
says...
1:15pm Fri 23 Nov 12
rockfordIL wrote:Dead right. It is a good poem.
For it's Tommy this and Tommy that, an' "chuck him out, the brute!"
But it's "Saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot.
Anyone read "Tommy" by Rudyard Kipling? I think some on hear should.
Squadies aren't perfect you know. But you bloody well need 'em.
Liamsm
says...
10:35am Sat 24 Nov 12
Bartholemew wrote:Let me get this right did he or did he not stick a broken bottle in someone's neck? YES OR NO??
Can I just say well done to the reporter what excellent reporting skills you have however in future you do need to be more correct with your concern for accuracy as the event actually was May this year not last as you have stated!!!! And please may I also state these soldiers who represent our country are well known for causing trouble in our town centre and are regularly on club watch round our town because of their bad reputation for causing trouble and fights. Mr Legg doesnt think he is hard nor does is he a yob as the story has portrayed him to be he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time he is sorry for what he has done and is now paying the price. I have read the witness statements for this case and it was actually the 'squaddies' who were fighting not innocently walking by as you have stated. And if this soldier was so innocent why did he try to run away from the scene to me the so called soldier is not as innocent as he has been made out to be these soldiers give the army a bad name.
always right says...
1:13pm Sun 18 Nov 12