Brute David O'Connell terrifies soccer fans for supporting West Ham
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by Keith Hunt
Two terrified soccer fans fled across
a live rail after being attacked by a drunken thug on a train, a
court heard.
David O’Connell picked on Paul Cutler
and Bernard Musau when he spotted them wearing West Ham shirts on
their return from a match in London.
The 23-year-old brute left Mr Cutler
with a fractured eye socket and broken nose. Mr Musau, who was
visiting his friend from Kenya, also suffered a broken nose.
O’Connell, of no fixed address, was
jailed for two years eight months after admitting inflicting
grievous bodily harm and actual bodily harm.
A judge told him his victims had
suffered lasting harm from the "mindless violence" long after their
physical injuries had healed.
Maidstone Crown Court heard Mr Cutler
and Mr Musau were travelling from Charing Cross to Gillingham late
at night on July 31 last year.
They were confronted by O’Connell
about 55 minutes into the journey, between Swanscombe and
Northfleet.
Keith Yardy, prosecuting, said
O’Connell started shouting abusive comments about West Ham. Mr
Cutler, 41, told him: "Whoa, what’s your problem, calm down."
O’Connell responded by asking if he
wanted to fight him, before punching him to the head. He then
attacked 34-year-old Mr Musau. Both were seated at the time.
Mr Yardy said when the train arrived
at Gravesend, the victims were covered in blood. They fled across
the live track to escape.
An off-duty police officer had been on
the train and heard the shouting. O’Connell was arrested soon
afterwards.
Mr Cutler was taken to Darent Valley
Hospital and treated for his injuries. He was referred to the ear,
nose and throat department of the Royal Gloucester Hospital. Mr
Musau declined treatment.
The friends believed they were
attacked because they were West Ham supporters. Mr Musau said in a
statement: "I was terrified he was going to kill us."
O’Connell was recalled to serve the
remainder of a three-and-a-half year jail sentence imposed in
October 2009 for robbery.
Mr Recorder Matthew Nicklin said it
was unclear why O’Connell chose to launch the attack.
"It seems to have something to do with
the fact they were wearing West Ham shirts," he added.
Wednesday, February 22 2012
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