A COMMUTER who stuck up for a woman after a plastic bottle was thrown at her on a train was set upon by a large group of college students.

Mark Hosker was brutally punched and kicked by around nine teenagers on the platform of Nelson station after he had asked them to ‘stop being childish’ while on the train, which he had boarded in Blackburn.

The large group, who he described as being intimidating, started throwing around a plastic bottle, which ended up hitting another passenger. She did not say anything to the group, but Mr Hosker did.

Preston Crown Court heard how the youths calmed down after that exchange, but Mr Hosker was later ‘jumped’ by them as he disembarked at Nelson.

One man, Saif Ali, 21, was later identified following a police investigation and appeared in court for his role in the attack.

Claire Larton, prosecuting, said: “When he went to get off the train at the next stop on the platform he said to the group ‘what’s your problem?’ and he said he then knew the group were going to ‘jump’ him – his words.

“One of the group said to him ‘we’re all going to do you’. He continued to try to walk away towards the bus station but the group crowded around him and began to assault him.

“Mr Hosker describes being punched to the face and there was a tussle where he was brought to the floor. He hoped the group would back off but the entire group continued to assault him, kicking him about the head and upper body.

“He describes curling up to protect his head with his arms and feeling like the attack went on for an age – in fact it was around six minutes.

“He describes trying to pretend to be unconscious but that didn’t prevent them from continuing.

“He also has a prosthetic leg – and he describes as them stamping on that before running away.”

The court heard how Mr Hosker’s life has changed for the worse since the incident on December 9, 2019, with him struggling to go about his life now as he did before.

Defending Ali, of Lloyd Walk, Nelson, Joseph Allman started his mitigation by offering his client’s ‘most sincere apologies and remorse’ to Mr Hosker.

Mr Allman told the court that all of Ali’s closest friends and family were disgusted by his behaviour.

“His part in the assault was shortlived, he made the appalling decision to join in and he inflicted two kicks,” he said. “He has held down a number of jobs. Education didn’t work out particularly well for him but he is a hard-working person. He is currently working for the track and trace programme. He has a supportive family.”

Debating whether or not he should give Ali a chance, Recorder Mr Philip Grundy said it was ‘not difficult to lock up young men who have committed serious offences’.

He added: “What is difficult is; do I take a chance with you, for all the reasons put forward on your behalf?

“I am impressed that despite you lawyer’s indicating that there may be some challenge to the restraining order, you do not wish to challenge that. I indicate immediately that is important in my judgement.

“The same with the family – your uncle is in court. Many young men appear before me on their own, abandoned, without any family network behind them.

“While the starting point is a custodial sentence, in the specific circumstances of your case, I will suspend that for two years.”

Ali must also comply to an eight week curfew and an intermin report was ordered on him. He must also pay his victim £400 in compensation.

Another person identified denied being involved and will appear in court later.