Worcester thug knocked 11-year-old's teeth out

Qamran Ali of Worcester, who was high on crack cocaine, attempted to choke a chicken to death before he launched the onslaught on the 'sensitive boy' who lay asleep and utterly defenceless.

The former carpet fitter and taxi driver punched, kicked and stamped on the child's face, knocking out four of his teeth before assaulting a woman, splitting her lip, and another child who tried to intervene as the boy screamed out in pain.

Judge Nicholas Cole, one of Worcester's most senior and experienced judges, said it was the most serious case of assault occasioning actual bodily harm he had ever had to sentence when he jailed the 41-year-old thug at the city's crown court on Thursday.

The shaven-haired brute appeared over prison videolink, sighing occasionally during the hearing but otherwise remaining impassive.

"In interview he said he felt he was a danger to himself and others. He stated he needed help desperately and was a risk to himself and the public, fearing he might kill someone" said the judge.

The thug has previous convictions for violence including kidnap and firearms offences and broke an ex-partner's jaw in two places.

Ali admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm against the boy and two counts of assault by beating against a woman and a second child following the violent incident on August 27 last year.

Olivia-May Appleby, prosecuting, said: "He rained kicks and punches down upon this innocent little boy. That child describes the defendant as stomping on his face."

Miss Appleby added: "It's clear the defendant was in a complete frenzy. It's unclear why the defendant behaved in such an appalling manner."

The barrister described a scene of 'terror', Ali knocking out four of the boy's adult teeth.

The injuries have meant the boy has required extensive dental treatment, including painkillers and antibiotics. 'Significant work' will be required to repair the damage and the boy has already had root canal treatment. Nerve damage has also been another physical result of the attack. The judge, who viewed photos of the injuries, said the boy may well suffer a lifetime of difficulties with his teeth.

Miss Appleby described Ali has 'heavy in self-pity but lacking in genuine remorse' and as having 'smirked' in police interview.

"He makes reference to his time in prison and makes some sort of comment that 'when they see me on the block they poo their pants" said the prosecutor.

"He's volatile and vicious and doesn't have an ounce of consideration for his vulnerable victims" she said.

Ali entered guilty pleas at the earliest opportunity to all three offences at a hearing at magistrates on August 29 last year.

Ali of Avon Road, Worcester, has 10 previous convictions for 15 offences, including for six offences of violence.

He received a nine year prison sentence for kidnapping and possession of a firearm in 2006 in a dispute over drugs and broke his former partner's jaw in two places, receiving a 22 month prison sentence suspended for two years for grievous bodily harm at Worcester Crown Court on September 28, 2017.

Judge Cole, who ruled that Ali was dangerous, said: "You accept you had taken a significant amount of crack cocaine the day before and had also been smoking cannabis. None of that excuses what happened."

Judge Cole described how Ali had first tried to kill a chicken, 'wringing its neck' and later attacked the boy.

"It's quite clear this was a frenzied attack on an 11-year-old boy who was utterly defenceless and had been sleeping," said the judge.

Judge Cole made a restraining order in relation to all three victims, preventing any direct or indirect contact including via social media.

Ali was jailed for three years, half of which he can expect to serve in custody and half on licence. Time he has already spent on remand will count towards his sentence.