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Fourth member of gang who tortured 'vulnerable' man given suspended sentence




Ipswich Crown Court. (3769648)
Ipswich Crown Court. (3769648)

The fourth member of a gang who subjected a vulnerable man to a five day torture ordeal has today (Thursday) been given a suspended sentence.

Anthony Bates, 20, had punched the man, who was in his 40s, while he was being held at an address in Bury St Edmunds in March 2016.

Ipswich Crown Court heard that although the victim had been subjected to a campaign of torture and cruelty, Bates' involvement had been limited to punching the man at the start of the incident.

Bates, of Market Place, Mildenhall, who pleaded guilty to common assault, was sentenced to four months in a Young Offenders Institution suspended for two years.

Judge David Goodin also ordered Bates to complete 100 hours of unpaid community work. In addition, Bates will be required to participate in a 30 day rehabilitation activity course.

Three other people who were involved in the same incident were last month jailed after admitting assault causing actual bodily harm.

Laura Manning, 24, of no fixed address, Danny Freeman, 20, of Daveren Walk, Bury St Edmunds and Samuel Bridges, 22, of Canterbury Way, Thetford were each sentenced to 30 months in custody.

At their sentencing hearing the court was told that the victim, described as 'vulnerable' had darts thrown at him, heated coins placed on his back and a knife held to his throat while blindfolded.