'Appalling' and 'unprovoked' attack at hotel car park

One victim suffered a broken jaw and lacerations to his eyelid in the attack

Two men who assaulted a driver and his stepdad in the car park of a Nottinghamshire hotel have been spared jail.

They were warned they will go to prison if they commit another offence within the next 15 months.

Matthew Kennedy, 19, and George Finney, 21, punched and kicked their victims outside Ye Olde Bell Hotel and Spa in Barnby Moor, just north of Retford, at around 10pm on Friday October 12.

The pair were part of a group of youths gathered outside the venue when the victims’ car drove by on the A638 Great North Road.

After their vehicle was struck and damaged by an object thrown from the car park the victims turned around to confront the group and were then attacked.

The driver of the car suffered a broken jaw and lacerations to his eyelid in the attack, whilst his stepdad sustained cuts and bruises.

Nottinghamshire Police said CCTV showed that one victim was jumped on as they lay on the ground.

A female passenger in the car also sustained a back injury as she attempted to intervene.

Kennedy, of Tolney Lane, Newark, and Finney, of, Stragglethorpe Lane, Grantham, were each handed suspended jail sentences at Nottingham Crown Court on Wednesday, May 20 after admitting charges of Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and Actual Bodily Harm (ABH).

Both men were sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for 15 months and will have to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

They must also pay compensation on £1,000 and an additional victim surcharge of £149.

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Detective Constable Colin Jones, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was an appalling and unprovoked attack.

"Kennedy and Finney’s actions on that night were truly shameful and they should both reflect on how close they came to an immediate custodial sentence.

"I hope they take this opportunity to think carefully about their future conduct, because if they commit any further offences over the next 15 months they will be going to prison.”