A 19-YEAR-OLD who was part of a group that attacked a student outside Worcester College of Technology made a “huge, huge error in judgement”, a court was told.

Worcester magistrates were told that Khubaib Altaf, of Knotts Avenue, Warndon Villages, Worcester, assaulted Zeno McDonald outside the college in broad daylight.

Altaf, who pleaded guilty to assault by beating, had never met the victim.

Sarah Stock, prosecuting, said Mr McDonald’s friend had been going out with a male – not the defendant – who had been abusing her and causing problems. As a result, Mr McDonald arranged to meet him in the car park to discuss the situation.

Mrs Stock said: “When he arrived, he saw a car parked, but not in a space, with a group of Asian males stood around it.

“Two of the group started to run towards him and punches were thrown.

“The defendant punches him in the head area with his right fist then grabs him around the neck while another male runs up and joins them. The victim is then dragged to the floor and the defendant is then seen to kick him in the face.

“He then continues by getting him in a head lock and throws him to the floor.”

Mrs Stock said the attack was filmed on a mobile phone before a security guard came and broke it up. The group got back into the car and as they drove away someone spat at Mr McDonald.

David Ollivere, defending, said the attack was an “act of cowardice and of male bravado”.

He told the court Altaf is the owner of two businesses and works 12 hours a day, six days a week.

Mr Ollivere said: “He is young and naive. He has let himself and his family down.

“When you view the footage, it is troubling, of course it’s troubling.

“The sad irony is this, he wasn’t involved in the background of the incident. He doesn’t know the victim, he’s never met him or the girl.

“He bumps into friends and is brought into the excitement of it. He becomes involved, he is sticking up for his friend.

“He made a huge, huge error of judgment. He is a man who normally should be lauded for his incredible work ethic.”

Altaf was given a 12-month community order with 200 hours of unpaid work.

He must also pay £200 compensation, £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

l Ekram Hussain, aged 18, of Arboretum Road, Worcester, pleaded not guilty to assault by beating. He will stand trial at Worcester Magistrates Court on June 26.