Man who carried out 'savage attack' on teenager in Hampshire sentenced
The 14-year-old victim was cycling along Portchester Road, in Portchester, on Sunday 19 January when 20-year-old Harley Taylor charged at him, causing the boy to stop his bike.
Taylor then pushed the teenager backwards, hit him in the face and kicked his legs, causing the victim to fall to the floor.
Taylor then continued to stamp on the boy, kicking him and threatening to stab him.
The victim was forced to hand over his coat, shoes, tracksuit, phone, Apple Airpods and his bike, before Taylor cycled away.
A passer-by helped the victim and called the police.
Taylor, of no fixed abode, was arrested and charged with robbery and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, both of which he admitted when appearing at Portsmouth Crown Court on Monday 3 March.
He has since been sentenced to four years and four months in a Young Offenders Institution, with an extended licence period of two years.
He was also handed an additional six month sentence, to be served consecutively, for an out of county dangerous driving matter.
Taylor was also handed a 10 year restraining order, banning contact with the boy, and a five year driving ban.
The judge commented on Taylor's lack of self-control during what he called a "savage attack".
DC Luke Fairchild, said: "This was a nasty and prolonged attack on a child.
"Harley Taylor's actions that day were utterly appalling, and I am grateful to the passerby who came to help the victim shortly after this incident.
"I would also like to thank the officers that initially responded to this incident so swiftly and colleagues in Warwickshire Police for assisting with the arrest of Harley Taylor.
"We will never tolerate people who inflict violence on anyone in our communities, let alone a child.
"I hope that this sentence sends a strong warning that anyone that commits these violent offences will be relentlessly pursued and put before the courts.
"Lastly, I would like to thank the victim, with the support of their family for coming forward to report this incident.
"The victim has said that they hope that this result encourages and gives others the confidence to come forward if the worst should ever happen to them."
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ITV News
8 hours ago
- ITV News
Man who carried out 'savage attack' on teenager in Hampshire sentenced
A man who carried out a "savage attack" on a teenager in Hampshire has been sentenced. The 14-year-old victim was cycling along Portchester Road, in Portchester, on Sunday 19 January when 20-year-old Harley Taylor charged at him, causing the boy to stop his bike. Taylor then pushed the teenager backwards, hit him in the face and kicked his legs, causing the victim to fall to the floor. Taylor then continued to stamp on the boy, kicking him and threatening to stab him. The victim was forced to hand over his coat, shoes, tracksuit, phone, Apple Airpods and his bike, before Taylor cycled away. A passer-by helped the victim and called the police. Taylor, of no fixed abode, was arrested and charged with robbery and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, both of which he admitted when appearing at Portsmouth Crown Court on Monday 3 March. He has since been sentenced to four years and four months in a Young Offenders Institution, with an extended licence period of two years. He was also handed an additional six month sentence, to be served consecutively, for an out of county dangerous driving matter. Taylor was also handed a 10 year restraining order, banning contact with the boy, and a five year driving ban. The judge commented on Taylor's lack of self-control during what he called a "savage attack". DC Luke Fairchild, said: "This was a nasty and prolonged attack on a child. "Harley Taylor's actions that day were utterly appalling, and I am grateful to the passerby who came to help the victim shortly after this incident. "I would also like to thank the officers that initially responded to this incident so swiftly and colleagues in Warwickshire Police for assisting with the arrest of Harley Taylor. "We will never tolerate people who inflict violence on anyone in our communities, let alone a child. "I hope that this sentence sends a strong warning that anyone that commits these violent offences will be relentlessly pursued and put before the courts. "Lastly, I would like to thank the victim, with the support of their family for coming forward to report this incident. "The victim has said that they hope that this result encourages and gives others the confidence to come forward if the worst should ever happen to them."
The Guardian
13 hours ago
- The Guardian
‘Get over it': some middle America Trump supporters remain unfazed over Epstein files tumult
It has united luminaries of the far right, from media personality Tucker Carlson to activist Laura Loomer, from tech billionaire Elon Musk to congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. Typically unwavering in support of Donald Trump, all have criticised his administration's handling of files about the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. But in towns and cities across the US, a more complicated and nuanced picture emerges, serving as a reminder that – like any other political constituency – Trump voters are not a monolith. Some of the US president's supporters are undoubtedly animated by the Epstein issue and urging Congress to push for greater transparency. 'It's the number one phone call that we get. By far,' Eric Burlison, a Republican congressman from Missouri, told CNN this week. 'It's probably 500 to one.' But others seem to be shrugging off the crisis as they have so many others that seemed to threaten Trump's political career. They remain fiercely loyal to a president they believe is delivering low inflation, strong border security and sweeping reversals of progressive policies. They are willing to take White House advice to 'trust in Trump'. That was the prevailing mood this week in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, a former steel town and Democratic stronghold that swung heavily for Trump in last November's election. 'Trump is right about everything, no matter what he does,' was the blunt take of Teddy, 55, wearing a Stars and Stripes hat and sitting on a bench in Central Park in downtown Johnstown. 'Epstein – he's dead, that's it, it's over.' Did he have no concern that Trump's name is reportedly listed in the Epstein files which have yet to be made public? 'That's a bunch of bullshit,' said Teddy, who didn't want to give his last name. 'The world should move on, get over it.' Curt, 51, another Trump supporter in Central Park, who was recently released from state prison, expressed similar views. The only people who were in a nervous state about Trump's relationship with Epstein were Democrats, he said. 'Epstein was a piece of shit and got what he deserved. As for Trump, they haven't come up with any evidence that he actually did anything,' he said. Pennsylvania was crucial in tipping Trump over the line of 270 electoral college votes needed to win the White House. Rural areas in the west of the state responded especially favourably to his promises to bring back manufacturing, reduce living costs and drive out immigrants. Trump won Cambria county, which includes Johnstown, by 68% to Joe Biden's 31%. At the local Walmart, Pam, who also asked not to give her last name, said she didn't believe that Trump's name was in the files. 'Trump has morals – it may not seem like he does, but deep down he does. He wanted to protect the United States when nobody else did.' As for media coverage of the story, she said: 'My uncle was in the Secret Service. He used to tell me that everything you see on TV is what they want you to believe, not what is actually happening.' Trump has been under growing pressure from political friends and foes alike to release more information about the justice department's investigation into Epstein, a disgraced financier who officials ruled died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. After Pam Bondi, the US attorney general, promised to disclose additional materials related to possible Epstein clients and the circumstances surrounding his death, the justice department reversed course this month and said there was no basis to continue investigating and no evidence of a client list. That sparked an outcry from some of Trump's base of supporters who have long believed the government was covering up Epstein's ties to the rich and powerful. On Friday, Trump denied reports that he was told by Bondi in May that his own name appeared in the Epstein files. Yet interviews by the Guardian in multiple states found Republicans generally willing to give Trump the benefit of the doubt – and suspicious that he is the victim of a double standard. Gavin Rollins, a lawyer from Orlando, Florida, acknowledged disappointment in the way the administration's initial communications raised expectations but praised Trump for doing a 'phenomenal job' overall. 'I think on the Epstein thing, I wish things had been handled a little bit differently,' he admitted. 'I think the rollout was less than smooth. I would say that it's important but I also believe in giving grace to people and he's gotten so many things right.' Jeff Davis, the Republican party chair in Greenville county, South Carolina, accused the media of using the Epstein controversy to falsely portray a divide in the Maga (Make America great again) movement. He said: 'I think the Epstein issue is obviously critical and important but I think what most people care about is that the Trump agenda – the Maga 'America first' agenda – is being promoted. I think [Epstein is] being used as a distraction.' Davis added: 'We can walk and chew gum at the same time. They need to pursue the Epstein thing to the nth degree but I think most people are interested in the results of the things that the Trump administration is doing, as opposed to analysing this issue from the old days.' Sign up to This Week in Trumpland A deep dive into the policies, controversies and oddities surrounding the Trump administration after newsletter promotion Mary Smith, the party chair in Dickson county, Tennessee, said: 'If Donald Trump's name is linked to something, it's like a shark fest, whereas if it's somebody else's name attached, 'Oh, it's no big deal,' and it's swept under the rug. I get so tired of that whole focus on Trump.' 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'For the Maga group, this is a very big deal,' Ayres said. 'Many of them bought into all the conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein, whether it was the fact that he abused a bunch of kids and then covered it up or symptomatic of a widespread deep state conspiracy protecting elites and the privileged in general. 'For the other people who voted for Trump, it is disturbing but not as compelling as it is for the Maga crowd. They are more interested in whether he is going to be able to bring inflation down than they are in Epstein. That's not to say that Epstein is not a disturbing story for them, but it's more a matter of perspective.' Yet another survey published this week again challenged the conventional wisdom. An Economist/YouGov poll found that Republican voters who identify as 'Maga' were more likely to approve of how the president is dealing with the Epstein investigation (56%) than those who do not (38%). 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'To me, the flip side of this is: what difference does it make? I shouldn't say that as a means of diminishing the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein or the pain of his victims. I'm looking at this from a purely electoral perspective. 'He's not going to leave office. The midterms are 15 months, 16 months away. Do I think this is fodder for the left and the media and even the true Magas who are like, 'What's happening?' Yeah. Do I think that ultimately, a year from now, we'll be talking about this? Hard to believe.'
BBC News
5 days ago
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Accrington man charged over stabbing outside mosque
A man has been charged in connection with a stabbing outside a mosque which lead to a series of violent incidents, police have said. Police were called to the Raza Jamia Masjid in Accrington, Lancashire, at about 14:30 BST on Friday where they found a man in his 40s with a stab injury to his was taken to hospital where he remains in a serious but stable Hussain, 33, of no fixed address, has been charged with wounding with intent, grievous bodily harm with intent, possessing a bladed article and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. Police said they were then called to nearby Steiner Street at about 17:15 BST to reports of a dozen people fighting with weapons.A few minutes later, officers were called to Craven Street, also in the area, where another man was found stabbed in the neck. He was also hospitalised and left in a serious but stable condition, Lancashire Police said. Police in Warwickshire have since arrested a 22-year-old man from Accrington on suspicion of attempted murder following the second stabbing. A 36-year-old man as well as two women, aged 33 and 36, were earlier arrested on suspicion of affray and later released on bail. The three incidents are believed to be linked, police said. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
