TWO men who battered a former lodger in a bid to extract money have been jailed for a total of ten years.
In front of receptionist Kerry Clark, Hancock said to her “come and see this” - and Titley punched Mr Game a number of times in the face. Hancock joined in by pulling the victim to the floor and stamping
on his head around half a dozen times, said Paul Farrow, prosecuting. As a result of the assault Mr Game suffered a number of facial fractures.
He had a broken jaw and a break to the orbital eye socket. Titley, aged 32, of Park Street, Stafford and Hancock, aged 53, of no fixed address, each admitted a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent. Hancock was jailed for five years, four months and Titley for four years and eight months.
Judge David Fletcher told them: “This was deliberate targeting of a vulnerable victim. In the circumstances there was absolutely no need for the degree of violence meted out to achieve your aim.”
Mr Farrow said Mr Game had lived with Titley for a short time during which he had given the defendant the majority of his benefit money.
When Titley asked for even more money, Mr Game left and moved to the guest house.
The defendants turned up there on October 4, looking for him. Titley said “where’s our money?” and Mr Game replied that he didn’t have any.
The victim could not recall anything that happened to him after that.
After witnessing Mr Game being beaten, the receptionist phoned the police. Officers spotted the defendants near the guest house and arrested them. When questioned, neither made any comment.
In a victim impact statement Mr Game said he been left “very scared” and does not want to come back to Stafford.
Saleema Mahmood, for Titley, said: “Whether it was money owed, or to be taken, it is clear there was some dispute between the parties.
Titley’s role was limited in physical nature, although it was at his instigation that the entire offence started.”
Anis Ali, for Hancock, said his client wanted to make a genuine apology to the victim.
