Suspended sentences for youths after ‘brutal attack’ in Littlehampton

Nick Laviers, 42, was pushed to the ground before being punched and kicked repeatedly in the face, in Finisterre Way, by Cody Dougan, 18, and Rory Dunstall, 21, who were sentenced at Chichester Crown Court on Tuesday.

Dunstall was handed a 36-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, as well as being ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work and pay Mr Laviers, who lives in Canada, £500 compensation.

Dougan was sentenced to 26-weeks detention 
in a young offenders’ institute, also suspended for 18 months, and 
180 hours of unpaid work. Both men, believed to be from the East Preston area,
had pleaded guilty to grievous 
bodily harm (GBH) at an earlier hearing.

Sentencing, Judge Claudia Ackner said: “Mr Laviers was the target of mindless violence by the pair of you. This was a shocking piece of gratuitous violence on a young man doing nothing more than making his way home.

“There was no doubt that Mr Laviers was severely punched and kicked. Photographs show his face had taken a real beating.”

Mr Laviers, who writes music for video games and has won two BAFTAS, one for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets on PlayStation2, was living in 
California at the time of the attack, October 25, 2008, but was home visiting his parents, in Rustington, and enjoying Littlehampton Bonfire Night with friends.

It was on his way back to the family home at about 11.30am, passing Tesco Express, that he was approached by Dougan, who was just 16 at the time, and Dunstall. Both were “extremely drunk”, and shouted abuse at him.

When Mr Laviers did not respond, the pair set upon him.

During the attack, his jaw was fractured in two places, and he suffered a fractured eye socket and nose.

The court was told that he would have “nasal breathing difficulties” and “numbness of the face” for some time.

The court heard that Mr Laviers, anxious to get back to work on time, had left for California the day after the attack, but extreme pain while on the flight caused him to go to hospital when he arrived.

It was four days later, though, that he suffered “a severe and uncontrollable” nosebleed, while at work, and had to go back to the emergency room, and take another two weeks off work.

The court was read a letter, by his American doctors, describing his injuries of being inflicted by a “brutal attack”.

Judge Acknar told Dougan and Dunstall that she had taken into account when passing the suspended sentences the fact that both had 
pleaded guilty, now had full-time jobs, Dougan in telesales and Dunstall as a chef in a pub, and that both had sought to control their alcohol consumption since the attack.

“You are remorseful,” she added, “and so you should be. It was outrageous and any right-thinking member of society would be appalled.”

Speaking after the hearing, Mr Laviers’ step-father, Frank Watson, said that his step-son still suffered flashbacks, but was pleased with the judgment.

“Nick wanted them to get community service,” he said. “He knows that they were young and drunk, and wants them to have a chance to turn their lives around.”