Gatecrashers jailed for Colne party violence (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Gatecrashers jailed for Colne party violence

12:51pm Friday 29th June 2012 in Pendle

TWO drunken louts who gatecrashed a Colne party and dished out violence to several innocent people, have both been jailed for 16 months.

Burnley Crown Court was told how Nikki East and Jobi Varey, both now 21, had attacked Daniel Helm, booting him and allegedly stamping on his head.

The victim was left with a tear to his eardrum after the trouble at a flat in the early hours of February 11.

The hearing was told how Mr Helm was said to have been kicked ‘viciously’ by both defendants after they were asked to leave the gathering and forced their way back into the property.

Before they had set on Mr Helm, a woman had been punched and knocked to the floor and was said to have been kicked by both.

A male party-goer had a glass smashed over his head and Varey broke a bottle and held it up against a man's neck. Mr Helm went to intervene and was floored.

Both defendants have been given anti-social behaviour orders in the past and have repeatedly flouted them.

East, of Windsor Street, and Varey, of Duke Street, both Colne, each admitted affray and assault causing actual bodily harm.

Stuart McCracken, prosecuting, said after he was attacked, Mr Helm tried to put Varey in a headlock, but ended up on the floor, being kicked. East punched him in the face, knocked him to the floor and kicked him. Both defendants were said to have stamped on Mr Helm's head.

Mr McCracken said East had 38 offences on his record, going back to 2003. Varey had committed 63 offences, over seven years.

For East, Richard Taylor said the defendant accepted he used his foot.

Kathryn Johnson, defending Varey, said he wasn't the instigator.

Sentencing, Judge Beverley Lunt said: “You were both violently out of control.”