Leicester, England – A confrontation between two homeless men outside a Tesco store in Leicester city center turned violent when a beggar called out to a younger man who owed him money. The incident, captured on CCTV and presented in Leicester Crown Court, showed 27-year-old David Newman assaulting the 41-year-old beggar. Newman walked past the beggar sitting on a duvet outside the store, prompting the altercation.
According to prosecuting officials, the beggar confronted Newman about money owed to him, leading Newman to strike him in the head and knee him in the face. The attack, which took place in January, left the victim with visible injuries, including blood on his face. Despite paramedics offering medical assistance, the victim declined treatment.
Newman, who pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm, had a history of 14 offenses related to drugs, violence, and assaulting a police officer. His defense lawyer mentioned that Newman’s struggles with homelessness, drug use, and childhood trauma contributed to his actions on the day of the incident.
During sentencing, Recorder Adrian Reynolds decided to suspend Newman’s prison sentence for two years, emphasizing the need for personal responsibility and the importance of addressing underlying issues. Newman expressed gratitude to the judge but was warned that any future criminal behavior would not be tolerated.
The court mandated Newman to work with the probation service to prevent re-offending, opting not to assign him unpaid work due to outstanding hours from a previous conviction. The judge’s decision highlighted the importance of Newman taking control of his life and choices to avoid future legal troubles.