Lewis Aldridge, Nathan Baker and Daniel Hermon jailed after Beccles attempted murder
A man who was assaulted and run over with a car in Beccles has described the impact his injuries have had on his life as his attackers were jailed.
Lewis Aldridge, 27, of Market Place in Southwold; Nathan Baker, 20, of Quay Street in Halesworth; and Daniel Hermon, 27, of Market Place in Southwold, were sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court today after being found guilty of attempted murder on May 30.
This followed an incident at 2.45am on November 18 in London Road, where the trio pulled Julian Johnson, 53, to the ground before attacking him.
Earlier that evening, Baker and Hermon were involved in an altercation with another group, of which Mr Johnson was a part of, trying to defend his son, the court was told.
The pair then drove to Southwold to pick up Aldridge and get revenge, asking him to bring knives, although these were not used in the attack.
They then came across Mr Johnson while he was walking home and attacked him.
The court was told that Hermon said to ‘finish him off’, at which point they ran him over with Baker’s car.
Mr Johnson told the court that after being hit by the car, he laid there thinking he was going to die.
This incident left him with a shattered pelvis, which required surgery and the court heard he could no longer work as a painter and decorator.
Mr Johnson, who was taken to James Paget Hospital before being transferred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, said he spent one month in hospital.
This included his 53rd birthday, which he planned to use to propose to his partner, he said.
He told the court: “When I left hospital, I thought I'd never walk in any way again.”
Mr Johnson was worried he would lose his leg. He will be on painkillers, which make him sick, for the rest of his life.
He said he was ‘completely reliant’ on his partner to do anything.
After leaving the hospital, he was forced to use a wheelchair. He said he cannot stand on crutches for more than 10 minutes.
“The hospital told me I’ll never walk without assistance again. The pain is a constant reminder of what I went through.”
Mr Johnson said he has nightmares of the incident and doesn’t feel safe when he’s alone.
“It’s hard to describe how I feel,” he added.
“My mental health has declined, I’m constantly tired, stressed and anxious. My mental health has been put on hold due to physical health issues.
“With sorrow in my heart, I hope the impact of what they have done will never leave them.”
The trio appeared via video link for their sentencing.
Judge Emma Peters described the assault as merciless.
She said the trio acted like a pack of dogs, repeatedly kicking and punching Mr Johnson for several minutes.
“All three of you went to the scene looking for trouble, intending to use violence if needed. When you couldn’t find who you wanted, who chose a man in his 50s,” Judge Peters said.
“You threw his phone away and left him for dead. His partner phoned the police. If it had not been for her actions, he would have been at the mercy of anyone. Anyone could have run over him in the dark.
“You are all responsible and left him with injuries that will impact him for many years.”
All three expressed remorse for their actions. The trio were said to have cried together after the incident.
Judge Peters said Mr Johnson sat down with Hermon and Baker following the initial incident.
He offered his experience and to tell them that, should their behaviour continue, they’d end up in prison.
She added “There’s a dreadful irony here, after receiving that advice from him, your actions later will see you in prison for some years to come.”
Baker and Aldridge were sentenced to 17 years in prison, with Aldridge being given an additional one year for possession of a knife, to be served concurrently.
Hermon, considered the ringleader, was jailed for 18 years.
They must serve two-thirds of their sentences before they are eligible for release.
